Screenshot from the Merlin Bird ID app showing thumbnail photos of eight birds and their names: blue tit; goldfinch; greenfinch; wren; blackbird; robin; house sparrow; and great tit.
And today the Scriptorium is filled with birdsong. The scribes are filled with an admiration for nature and a Full Duchy breakfast (which is like a Full English, but with an oatcake).
i see what you did there 🙂
An extract from "The Scriptorium Chronicle". In the middle of the text is an illustration in the style of a medieval manuscript which shows four figures, two in red tunics and two in green playing the original version of football. One figure is kicking a ball while two opposing players in the middle are wrestling or fighting each other. The text reads: "3 JuLy § Now that matins is over and there's not much else to do, the scribes are watching football on the telly and lamenting the state of the game. Considering it's a game played between two villages, there are hardly any players, no scrums around the player with the ball, and there's no way the goalposts are a mile apart. They are amazed at how many players keep tripping over nothing and sustain dreadful leg injuries, only for them to be instantly cured by a sponge with miraculous healing qualities. Modern medicine is truly a wonder. The scribes remain confused by the rules. How are you supposed to grapple the ball away if you can't use your hands? Kneeing the fellow in the groin doesn't seem to be allowed either."
In the Scriptorium today, the scribes are watching a game of football. Their understanding of the game and what they are watching are very different. For one thing, the goal posts aren't miles apart in different villages
mybook.to/ScriptoriumChronicle
#BookSky #ReaderSky #ReadingCommunity #Football
I’m planning on some time in the veg patch as there is some couch grass in where I planted some carrots. Exciting stuff,eh?
The rewrite of "All Steamed Up" continues. The messy opening has been completely revamped and it now reads a lot better. I'm about 1/2 way through, and 4k words have been chopped out. They'll not be coming back.
I'm starting to think of it as a first draft, rather than draft zero.
#WritingCommunity
An entry from "The Scriptorium Chronicle". In the middle of the page is an illustration done in a medieval manuscript style of what appears to be a donkey, or possibly a large dog with big ears. It is a sort of brownish colour and seems to be either running or lolloping. Behind it are two unrecognisable green plants with scallop-edged leaves. The illustration has a yellow background and an orange-ish border. The text reads: "XX511 Apr. § This morning finds the scribes standing on the front lawn looking at a swathe of unkempt grass, as nobody has got around to mowing it. With May coming up, they are debating the merits of doing #NoMowMay and are coming to the conclusion that the pros vastly outweigh the cons. So far, the only con they can come up with is that it might look a bit untidy for a while, but they can live with that. Alexa has been dispatched to the shops to get a packet of wildflower seeds to help things along, as dandelions alone do not a wildflower meadow make."
In the Scriptorium today, the scribes have an extract from "The Scriptorium Chronicle" to share from last year as we're heading towards #NoMowMay when they tried to get out of cutting the front lawn by turning it into a wildflower meadow.
mybook.to/ScriptoriumChronicle
#BookSky #ReaderSky #Book
An entry from "The Scriptorium Chronicle". In the middle of the page is an illustration done in a medieval manuscript style of what appears to be a donkey, or possibly a large dog with big ears. It is a sort of brownish colour and seems to be either running or lolloping. Behind it are two unrecognisable green plants with scallop-edged leaves. The illustration has a yellow background and an orange-ish border. The text reads: "XX511 Apr. § This morning finds the scribes standing on the front lawn looking at a swathe of unkempt grass, as nobody has got around to mowing it. With May coming up, they are debating the merits of doing #NoMowMay and are coming to the conclusion that the pros vastly outweigh the cons. So far, the only con they can come up with is that it might look a bit untidy for a while, but they can live with that. Alexa has been dispatched to the shops to get a packet of wildflower seeds to help things along, as dandelions alone do not a wildflower meadow make."
In the Scriptorium today, the scribes have an extract from "The Scriptorium Chronicle" to share from last year as we're heading towards #NoMowMay when they tried to get out of cutting the front lawn by turning it into a wildflower meadow.
mybook.to/ScriptoriumChronicle
#BookSky #ReaderSky #Book
I've just been on their website. I couldn't find a "delete my account" page so used their contact page to request they close my account. At the top of the page it said that they were very busy at the moment. I wonder why.
The cover of the book "The Scriptorium Chronicle" by Mark Weaver. The title and author are done in an old fashioned cursive font (Chancery hand), and the illustration is of a medieval priory done in a Middle Ages illustrated manuscript style. The perspective is all wrong.
The back cover of "The Scriptorium Chronicle". The text reads: "There’s no way you’re getting a quote out of me to promote this tripe" John, Duke of Vallonné Là-Bas It continues: "A Year in the Lives of the Scribes of the Priory of St Elno From the earliest times, scribes have dutifully recorded history as it happened (or wrote it up later if they were busy), but until now, no one has thought to write about the scribes who undertake this work. Compiled from notes taken over the course of a year, The Scriptorium Chronicle is an account of the day-to-day happenings in the Priory of St Elno, written by the scribes themselves. From their tussles with the prior about whether it is cold enough to light the fire if the ink hasn't frozen, to trying to stay cool during a heatwave, this book covers all seasons. From Easter to Christmas via saints' days, feast days, and other excuses to down quills and nip to the pub, all major festivals (and a few minor ones) are included. Be amazed at the scribes' trip to the Antarctic to find buried pirate treasure! Be astounded as they find an arcane tome and encounter supernatural horrors! Be astonished as they grapple with new technologies, AI and cryptocurrencies! Watch as they attempt to launch an 8-foot-tall rocket on Bonfire Night! Learn the history of the priory from its foundation in the Middle Ages! Marvel as they grow a wildflower meadow to avoid mowing the front lawn! All this and more in their own words and illustrations." At the bottom of the page is a small graphic – a medieval-looking priory building with the scribes' website address: scriptoriumscribes.com
Exactly two weeks ago, this odd little book was released into the wild. It tells of the antics of a bunch of scribes, and has some nice pictures in it.
mybook.to/ScriptoriumChronicle
#BookSky #AuthorSky #WritingCommunity #ReadingCommunity
The cover of the book "The Scriptorium Chronicle" by Mark Weaver. The title and author are done in an old fashioned cursive font (Chancery hand), and the illustration is of a medieval priory done in a Middle Ages illustrated manuscript style. The perspective is all wrong.
The back cover of "The Scriptorium Chronicle". The text reads: "There’s no way you’re getting a quote out of me to promote this tripe" John, Duke of Vallonné Là-Bas It continues: "A Year in the Lives of the Scribes of the Priory of St Elno From the earliest times, scribes have dutifully recorded history as it happened (or wrote it up later if they were busy), but until now, no one has thought to write about the scribes who undertake this work. Compiled from notes taken over the course of a year, The Scriptorium Chronicle is an account of the day-to-day happenings in the Priory of St Elno, written by the scribes themselves. From their tussles with the prior about whether it is cold enough to light the fire if the ink hasn't frozen, to trying to stay cool during a heatwave, this book covers all seasons. From Easter to Christmas via saints' days, feast days, and other excuses to down quills and nip to the pub, all major festivals (and a few minor ones) are included. Be amazed at the scribes' trip to the Antarctic to find buried pirate treasure! Be astounded as they find an arcane tome and encounter supernatural horrors! Be astonished as they grapple with new technologies, AI and cryptocurrencies! Watch as they attempt to launch an 8-foot-tall rocket on Bonfire Night! Learn the history of the priory from its foundation in the Middle Ages! Marvel as they grow a wildflower meadow to avoid mowing the front lawn! All this and more in their own words and illustrations." At the bottom of the page is a small graphic – a medieval-looking priory building with the scribes' website address: scriptoriumscribes.com
Exactly two weeks ago, this odd little book was released into the wild. It tells of the antics of a bunch of scribes, and has some nice pictures in it.
mybook.to/ScriptoriumChronicle
#BookSky #AuthorSky #WritingCommunity #ReadingCommunity
A black cat sits next to a pile of compost on the potting bench of a greenhouse.
The cat respectfully disagrees with the contention that this a potting bench for sowing seeds and maintains that it is instead for the use of cats as they see fit.
The front cover of “The Scriptorium Chronicle”, which shows a medieval priory illustrated in a Middle Ages manuscript style. The walls and roof are grey and there is a funny looking tree to the left. The perspective is all wrong. The author is Mark Weaver. Visit scriptoriumscribes.com for more info.
In the Scriptorium today, the scribes are delighted to report that the first copy of “The Scriptorium Chronicle” has been sold to a lovely person somewhere in Germany. They say to give their thanks!
mybook.to/ScriptoriumChronicle
#BookSky #WritingCommunity #ReadingCommunity #Medieval
In the Scriptorium today, the scribes have been potting on tomato seedlings. Half think they’ve planted too many; half think they’ve not planted enough; and half think it’s just about right. The scribe who does fractions has wandered off for a cup of tea.
scriptoriumscribes.com
In the Scriptorium this Sunday afternoon, the scribes are wondering which is the best film ever made with fencing in it. Scaramouche (1952) and The Princess Bride (1987) were the top contenders, until someone mentioned The Great Escape (1963), in which someone jumps over a fence on a motorbike.
But - and hear me out - what if the sea shells were Jurassic coast prehistoric fossil plesiosaurs that you, and only you, had found and had a monopoly on?
The back cover of "The Scriptorium Chronicle". The text reads: "There’s no way you’re getting a quote out of me to promote this tripe" John, Duke of Vallonné Là-Bas It continues: "A Year in the Lives of the Scribes of the Priory of St Elno From the earliest times, scribes have dutifully recorded history as it happened (or wrote it up later if they were busy), but until now, no one has thought to write about the scribes who undertake this work. Compiled from notes taken over the course of a year, The Scriptorium Chronicle is an account of the day-to-day happenings in the Priory of St Elno, written by the scribes themselves. From their tussles with the prior about whether it is cold enough to light the fire if the ink hasn't frozen, to trying to stay cool during a heatwave, this book covers all seasons. From Easter to Christmas via saints' days, feast days, and other excuses to down quills and nip to the pub, all major festivals (and a few minor ones) are included. Be amazed at the scribes' trip to the Antarctic to find buried pirate treasure! Be astounded as they find an arcane tome and encounter supernatural horrors! Be astonished as they grapple with new technologies, AI and cryptocurrencies! Watch as they attempt to launch an 8-foot-tall rocket on Bonfire Night! Learn the history of the priory from its foundation in the Middle Ages! Marvel as they grow a wildflower meadow to avoid mowing the front lawn! All this and more in their own words and illustrations." At the bottom of the page is a small graphic – a medieval-looking priory building with the scribes' website address: scriptoriumscribes.com
In the Scriptorium today, the scribes are taking five minutes out of their day to push their new book. They are slowly coming to the conclusion that they are not very good at marketing as they haven't sold a single copy.
mybook.to/ScriptoriumChronicle
#BookSky #WritingCommunity #Medieval
Have watched a video on U-toob for the first time in ages (it was about book cover design) that lasted 17 minutes and had 8 adverts in that time. It was an interesting watch, but I'll not be going back there again in a hurry.
I'm rewriting the first few chapters to "All Steamed Up" and for some inexplicable reason, the opening lines to a dialect poem came back to me. I haven't thought about this in ages.
At number one, i' Bowton's yard, mi gronny keeps a skoo,
But hasn't mony scholars yeat, hoo's only one or two
Inn the Scriptorium today, the nnn key is stickinnnng. The scribes are finnndinnnnng this very annnoyinnnnng as so mannnnnny words connnnntainnnnn the letter nn.
A folding bicycle, which makes it handy for commuting or lack the space to store a regular one.
They did sell one copy of their previous book, "Liber Monstrorum" (The Book Of Monsters), which, although nice, isn't what they were going for.
The back cover of "The Scriptorium Chronicle". The text reads: "There’s no way you’re getting a quote out of me to promote this tripe" John, Duke of Vallonné Là-Bas It continues: "A Year in the Lives of the Scribes of the Priory of St Elno From the earliest times, scribes have dutifully recorded history as it happened (or wrote it up later if they were busy), but until now, no one has thought to write about the scribes who undertake this work. Compiled from notes taken over the course of a year, The Scriptorium Chronicle is an account of the day-to-day happenings in the Priory of St Elno, written by the scribes themselves. From their tussles with the prior about whether it is cold enough to light the fire if the ink hasn't frozen, to trying to stay cool during a heatwave, this book covers all seasons. From Easter to Christmas via saints' days, feast days, and other excuses to down quills and nip to the pub, all major festivals (and a few minor ones) are included. Be amazed at the scribes' trip to the Antarctic to find buried pirate treasure! Be astounded as they find an arcane tome and encounter supernatural horrors! Be astonished as they grapple with new technologies, AI and cryptocurrencies! Watch as they attempt to launch an 8-foot-tall rocket on Bonfire Night! Learn the history of the priory from its foundation in the Middle Ages! Marvel as they grow a wildflower meadow to avoid mowing the front lawn! All this and more in their own words and illustrations." At the bottom of the page is a small graphic – a medieval-looking priory building with the scribes' website address: scriptoriumscribes.com
In the Scriptorium today, the scribes have taken a look at the sales figures for "The Scriptorium Chronicle" and can reveal that they have sold exactly zero copies. This is not how this book promotion lark is supposed to go.
mybook.to/ScriptoriumChronicle
#BookSky #WritingCommunity #Medieval
Shocking. Appalling. Even for Trump. Sheer madness to go ahead with state visit by King Charles! Bin it NOW!
A grey and white long haired cat sits facing forward in a rusty wheelbarrow. The wheelbarrow is sitting on a patch of grass. Behind it is a log. The cat seems indifferent to the log. Did I mention that it is sunny? The scribes have offered it a ginger nut biscuit, much as they did when Musky the dog turned up, but it didn’t seem interested. A scribe has been sent inside to see if there’s a tin of sardines going spare.
In the Scriptorium today, a cat has turned up in the wildflower meadow (formerly the front lawn). So has a wheelbarrow, leaving the scribes to ponder the difference between causation and correlation.
mybook.to/ScriptoriumChronicle
The Blues Only Child
Extract from "The Scriptorium Chronicle". As well as a medieval manustcript style illustration of a man and a woman beside a table carrying four pies (no idea of what filling is in them), the text reads: XXX § In the Scriptorium this lunchtime, the scribes are debating what makes a good pie and which is the best. The right pastry seems to be the key. Meat & potato is rated highly, with cheese & onion a strong second. Chicken & mushroom is coming third, and, somewhat surprisingly, steak & kidney is well down the list. Some of the scribes are now discussing whether a pie has to have pastry and are pointing to shepherd’s pie and fish pie as examples that don’t. They agree that pies clearly don’t have to be savoury, to wit, lemon meringue pie and apple pie. There is some dispute about custard pies of the slapstick comedy variety, since these are paper plates laden with shaving foam. Dr Johnson’s dictionary has been consulted. It says, “Any crust baked with something in it”, which would mean that custard pies have been misnamed unless they are actual baked pies made with pastry and custard. Pork pies are legitimate, much to the scribes’ relief, as are mince pies. They are not so sure about Key Lime pie, as that isn’t baked. Alexa has pointed out that the base is baked, and what they are thinking of is cheesecake. The scribes have pointed out that the base isn’t baked with something in it, so according to Dr Johnson, it isn’t a pie. Alexa is now in the mood for cheesecake and will ask Mrs Pritchett to make one when she gets back.
The scribes of St Elno's Priory have thoughts about what makes a good pie. These pass muster.
An extract from "The Scriptorium Chronicle". In the middle of the page is an illustration, done in a medieval manuscript style, of a pink fish with a red head and tail, walking on two legs it the exact way that normal fish don't. The text on the page reads as follows: "Easter Sunday § After a late start, the eggs have been paced and the mummers have mummed. The scribes are grabbing a quick bite to eat before embarking on the Great Easter Egg Hunt. It should be noted that the scribes’ version of an Easter Egg Hunt differs from most others in one important respect. Although the egg is hidden, the location does not stay the same throughout the game. It moves, seemingly at random, from place to place. The reason for this is fairly simple. The game is not so much hunt the Easter egg as hunt the prior who is carrying the egg. He is given a half-hour head start, having left behind the clue to the first location. Tradition has it that the starting clue is always the same: “My first is in a flower with a hat upon its head.” This means that he’s in the Rose & Crown, where he will stay until he finishes his pint. Thereupon, a new clue is left behind the bar and the location changes. According to Ye Ancient & Venerable Rules of Ye Great Easter Egge Hunt, the scribes must drink whatever the prior drank. Under Rule 37(b) subsection vii, the use of advocaat is not permitted following the Snowball Debacle of 1902, about which the less is said, the better. The prior is not allowed to go more than five miles beyond the priory. He is allowed to double back and is permitted to play a joker at any time of his choosing. The joker is usually a round of strong spirits or a yard of ale."
The text reads "Rule 39(c)(i) states that if the yard of ale is played as a joker, only one scribe has to drink it. For those wondering, the egg is made of milk chocolate, covered in gold foil and is, in fact, so large that it can be seen from a hundred yards at night in thick fog. It helps that Rule 48(c)(iii) requires that it has a flashing light attached to it." At the bottom of the page is another faux-medieval illustration of the prior holding up a golden easter egg with a flashing light on top of it. Behind him are half a dozen scribes, and on the very left is a scribe pulling on a rope to ring a bell.
The text here reads "This is because of what happened in the Great Fog of 1854, where the egg was lost for 48 hours in what eyewitnesses described as “a real pea-souper”. The prior, when found, was asleep in a hedge outside the priory with a half-empty cask of brandy beside him and had eaten the Easter Egg. Today’s Easter Egg Hunt is likely to be a more restrained affair, as the prior can’t put it away like he used to. Easter Egg Hunt Results: Prior found in the Dog & Partridge, where he played the joker of a round of Tequila Sunrises (which takes a while to make for a large group of scribes) and made his escape. Later run to ground in the George & Dragon with a half of mild and a bag of peanuts." Below is an illustration of four figures dressed in a medieval style. Two of them are swigging from bottles and a third holds a cup to his lips. The fourth is harder to notice as he's more in the background, but appears to be throwing up, which is quite yuck to be honest.
In the Scriptorium today, the scribes would like to share last Easter Sunday's happenings.
More on the book here: mybook.to/ScriptoriumChronicle
#BookSky #WritingCommunity #Medieval #Easter
Forgot to add, pace-egging (egg rolling) is much more widespread. The tradition is that the egg shells are crushed afterwards to prevent witches using them as boats.
It's real and takes place on the Spring Bank Holiday on a hill near Gloucester. Nobody knows when it began, but it is first recorded in 1826.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooper%...
This is the whey is a reference to when they were churning butter for the Hot Cross Buns on Good Friday.
IYKYK