Magna Carta – Parchment Making Demonstration
It was a pleasure to meet so many of you at the St Albans Magna Carta celebration.
The interest shown in our ancient craft was ‘considerable’ to say the least. I have never answered so many questions!
It was no surprise that, although we had gathered to mark the anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta, discussions frequently centred on how your own documents could be reproduced on parchment. It was very apparent that marriage certificates, academic certificates, old letters, speeches and family documents all featured prominently.
These were pieces to be kept in the ‘family album’ so that legacies could be left for future generations to enjoy and add to. In addition there were those that wished to create their own pieces on parchment, not quite ‘memoirs’, but nuggets of wisdom, letters and details of life’s experience to be passed on for posterity (a voice from the past?).
Parchment is one of the earliest writing materials used by mankind. I am glad that it is still regarded so highly, not only for its longevity, but also the added prestige it adds to any document.
To those that ‘had a go’ at working the skin in the frame, I commend you. Some took to it slightly better than others, but the enthusiasm was a joy to behold.
If I didn’t get to answer your question, please don’t hesitate to call and I’ll do my best to pick up where we left off.
Kindest regards and sincere thanks,
Paul
(Paul Wright – Manager William Cowley Parchment & Vellum)