2023
This is my Triathalon Entry for the 2023 Northshield Kingdom Arts & Sciences Competition, held 22 April. The project started because I wanted to enter one item in three categories. After consulting with my Pile of Shrubberies (i.e. my Laurel friends), I decided to enter a manuscript page. I would make some of the tools, do the calligraphy and illumination, and write an original poem based on an extant piece.
This was supposed to be an easy project: make a paint brush, write a poem, put ink and paint on a piece of parchment so that it looks like the Book of Deer.
This was not an easy project. In order to make a paintbrush (my tool of choice), I needed to complete some research about paintbrushes. 27 pages later, and I still am not sure they existed. In order to make the manuscript page, I needed to ID the paints. After reviewing some chemical analysis of other manuscripts, I tentatively identified the pigments as orpiment (arsenic) and minium (red lead), both of which are toxic. In order to write the poem, I needed to identify and quantify the poetics. I later determined that this form of poetry is incredibly difficult to write in English and that I probably should have picked something easier.
The project took approximately 110 hours spread over 6 weeks. The financial outlay was significant as well: I spent over $100 just in printing costs and an estimated $350 on materials.
At the 2023 Northshield Kingdom Arts & Sciences Competition, I was awarded first place in the Triathalon and second place in the overall open division for my research paper.
Please take some time to review the documents linked with the buttons below.
The poem I wrote was inspired by my favorite blacksmith, Master Crispin Fletcher, OL, OP.
Scribe and Smith
Clever craft-folk, he and I Pen and forge are matched allies
Black iron tools to reach our goal Mine, gall-ink and his, charcoal
Checking once then twice for sure Ruler ready, he measures.
"It fits! Yay!" I gleefully preen Lines with letters like sardines
.
Inspired, he feeds his forge fire Bellows blow, flames climb higher
My own burning questions press Answers bring light to darkness
Red iron bends with shifting blows He commands, metal follows.
A quieter smith, I sit Forging phrases: my habit
Careful strikes create knife's edge Honing blades with deep knowledge
Honing stanzas, setting free Meanings made with right trochee
Fixing words, removing scale Expert eyes see each detail
His hands black from smoke and soot Mine stained too by my inkpot
Coals cool as he finds his rest Aching arm gives loud protest.
Three fingers write, eyes are sore Pen speaks, whole body labors.
A like pair, this scribe and smith, With rocks and spite, make mischief.
Smelting, shaping, making pure, Out of naught, something clever.
For one 6x8 manuscript page, I:
Completed 57 pages of written documentation
Compiled over 40 pages of appendix documents
Accessed well over 100 different resources including thesis papers and books
Drafted three general use documentation templates
Wrote a research paper which failed to definitively prove or disprove the existence of paintbrushes
Cut my own reed and quill pens
Made 20+ paintbrushes and used two on my project
Collected 80+ pieces of evidence
Mixed my own orpiment (arsenic) and minium (red lead) paints
Learned how to do freehand knotwork
Acquired one new calligraphy hand
Charted, from scratch, the poetics (rhyme, meter, alliteration) of a specific poem
And wrote a poem in a style which was NOT intended to be written in English