The process of copying a manuscript was very time-consuming and required great skill and precision. The monks would first prepare the parchment, which was made from animal skin. They would then write the text onto the parchment using a quill pen and ink. The ink was made from a mixture of carbon black, water, and gum arabic.
Once the text was written, the monks would then illuminate the manuscript. This involved adding decorative illustrations and borders. The illustrations were often very elaborate and could take days or even weeks to complete. The monks used a variety of paints and pigments to create their illustrations.
Illuminated manuscripts were very expensive to produce, and they were often commissioned by wealthy patrons. The most famous illuminated manuscripts include the Book of Kells, the Lindisfarne Gospels, and the Winchester Bible.
The work of the monks in the Scriptorium was essential to the preservation and transmission of knowledge. Their beautiful manuscripts helped to inspire and educate people for centuries.