HiowBeorht

24/05/2026

27/04/2026

Some random photos from the this weekend.
It was a really busy weekend, so thanks to the organisers, the Reenactors, the traders, the Abbey, and all the visitors that made it a fantastic way to start the season!

22/04/2026

Dance like no one is watching.
There are a few depictions of people performing like this in medieval manuscripts and I think they're a marvellous window into the entertainment people back then thought wonderful enough to capture in their paintings.
Can't recall what manuscript this is from. I have it written down somewhere in my studio so I will add it in the comments when I get round to it.

11/04/2026

Finished one of the panels for my Pangur Bán book. It is supposed to be the author, Sedulius Scottus, but is actually a copy of a depiction of Bede.

31/03/2026

In my last post I showed the modern English text of Pangur Bán written and decorated in a 14th century gothic style. This is the old Irish (I think) text, written in an Insular Minuscule style (ish). The finished piece will be a concertina book with the different versions on each side.

29/03/2026

I'm creating a Pangur Bán book with modern English in a blackletter script on one side and the original Irish (?) in insular minuscule on the other. It's something I have wanted to do for a long time. Currently adding flourishes with hidden mice in them!

13/03/2026

Just some of the things we are selling on our stall at the Artisan & Reenactors Market this weekend! Some new things from us and lots of the usual, including parchment and paper, medieval paint boxes, wax seals, embroidery kits, tablet weaving, artworks and prints, quills, ink & more!
If you are going to be here, come and say hello.

07/03/2026

I finished this a little while ago, but never got around to posting it. Today I finished making the frame - handmade in walnut wood. Looks pretty good. I will take some nice photos soon and maybe do a video on it... But for now this photo will have to do.
The long-term plan is to do some limited edition prints with hand-gilded elements.

17/02/2026

It's been a while since I posted any calligraphy. I don't practice it as much as I should!
This is the first three verses (of eight) of Pangur Bán. A poem written by an old Irish monk about his cat - in the 9th century! Look it up. It is a beautiful window into someone's life from a long time ago!
I have a plan to do something special with this poem... Watch this space.

04/02/2026

Nearly done. This stage takes a lot of patience and concentration, especially when doing the finest lines. I'm not looking forward to painting all the chainmail!