Writing Instruments of the Middle Ages

Quill pens made from goose feathers were a common medieval writing implement.

Although literacy was limited in the Middle Ages, much of our knowledge of the period comes from its writings. Surviving medieval manuscripts include religious texts, poetry, medical and scientific treatises, adventure tales, and practical documents such as building accounts and works on household management. Medieval people used a variety of tools to write these documents.

Reed Pens

Reed pens were a simple form of writing instrument, common in the late antique period but less so in the European Middle Ages. They were so common in the ancient world that the common Latin word for "pen" actually meant "reed." Reed pens were made by cutting a section of hollow reed and sharpening the point into a nib with a small slit in it. Reed pens, although simple to make, do not maintain a sharp point for long. Although reed pens fell out of favor in Europe, they were still in common use in the Middle East and Asia.

Quill Pens

Quills or quill pens are made from bird feathers. The best quills come from the primary flight feathers of large birds. Geese were most commonly used for this purpose, although rarer and more expensive swan feathers were also used. The quill was kept sharp with a small knife, the ancestor of the modern pen knife. Its combination of hardness, flexibility, and availability made the quill pen the standard writing instrument of the medieval period.

Styli

Not all writing was done with ink on paper. Temporary notes that did not have to be preserved might be made on wax tablets. These were wooden frames containing layers of wax which were written on with a stylus. The stylus was a wooden, bone or metal writing implement with a sharp point used to cut letters into the wax. The other end of the stylus was flat and could be used to smooth out words. Archaeologists have found styli both at monastic sites and noble households.

Charcoal

Another form of impermanent writing tool was the simple charcoal stick. Although the best drawing charcoal comes from willow, other species such as oak, ash, maple, and hazel were also used. Charcoal was used not only to write brief notes or marks on items such as jars and barrels, but also to sketch out preliminary images for paintings and decorations. Charcoal was used on parchment or on wooden or stone surfaces which had been whitewashed.

References

• Regia Anglorum: Quills
• Medieval and Renaissance Material Culture: Waxed Tablets
• Fathom.com: An Introduction to Hebrew Manuscripts
• Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology; Islamic Egypt; Carolyn Perry