ink

[derekblue]

what was ink made from in tudor times?

[Ethel]

http://www.regia.org/quill3.htm

[Octavius]

The Chinese invented and perfected 'Indian Ink' which was a mixture of soot from pine smoke and lamp oil mixed with the gelatin of donkey skin and musk. The ink invented by the Chinese philosopher, Tien-Lcheu (2697 B.C.), became common by the year 1200 B.C. Other cultures developed inks using the natural dyes and colors derived from berries, plants and minerals.

By 400 A.D. a stable form of ink developed, a composite of iron-salts, nutgalls and gum, the basic formula, which was to remain in use for centuries.

One 12th century ink recipe called for hawthorn branches to be cut in the spring and left to dry. Then the bark was pounded from the branches and soaked in water for eight days. The water was boiled until it thickened and turned black. Wine was added during boiling. The ink was poured into special bags and hung in the sun. Once dried, the mixture was mixed with wine and iron salt over a fire to make the final ink.

In the 14th century, a new type of ink had to be developed in Europe for the printing press. Two types of ink were prevalent at the time; The Greek and Roman writing ink (soot, glue, and water) and the 12th century variety composed of ferrous sulfate, nutgall, gum, and water. Neither of these handwriting inks could adhere to printing surfaces without creating blurs. Eventually an oily, varnish-like ink made of soot, turpentine, and walnut oil was created.