non-vitriolic iron-gall ink

Ingredients

tannins, iron (II), metallic iron, vinegar

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

The paper identifies the almost systematic use of non-vitriolic iron-gall ink in Northern Europe from the 8th to the 12th centuries (p. 92). These inks were likely prepared using a source of iron (II) other than vitriol, such as metallic iron dissolved in an acid like vinegar, which was a common practice in the Medieval Islamic world (p. 91). The authors interpret the absence of metallic elements commonly present in vitriol, such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn), as primary evidence for this preparation method (p. 92).

Remarks

The study suggests that the low iron content observed in manuscripts produced before the 10th century is a characteristic feature of these early European inks (p. 91). It highlights a transition from carbon ink to iron-gall ink and notes that while vitriol was known since Late Antiquity, it was not the exclusive iron source for ink production in the Carolingian period (p. 91-92).