What Would I Do If I Am Reborn In Medieval Times

If I Were a Parchment Maker in Medieval Times

Hello, dear readers! Welcome back to my blog, where I explore what my life would be like if I were born in a different historical period. Today, I'm going to imagine myself as a parchment maker in medieval times. What is a parchment maker, you ask? Well, let me tell you all about it!

What is a Parchment Maker?

A parchment maker is someone who makes parchment, which is a type of writing material made from animal skins. Parchment was widely used in medieval times for books, manuscripts, documents, maps, and art. It was durable, flexible, and reusable, and it could be written on with ink or painted with colors.

Parchment makers were usually women who worked in their own workshops or in collaboration with other craftsmen, such as scribes, illuminators, bookbinders, and painters. They used various types of animal skins, such as sheep, goat, calf, or deer. They also used different tools and techniques to prepare and process the skins into parchment.

The process of making parchment was complex and laborious. It involved several steps, such as:

• Flaying: removing the skin from the animal carcass
• Soaking: soaking the skin in water or lime to remove the hair and flesh
• Stretching: stretching the skin on a wooden frame and scraping it with a knife to make it thin and smooth
• Drying: drying the skin under tension to make it flat and even
• Cutting: cutting the skin into sheets of desired size and shape
• Finishing: smoothing, polishing, and trimming the edges of the parchment sheets

Why Would I Be a Parchment Maker?

I think I would enjoy being a parchment maker for several reasons. First of all, I love working with natural materials and creating something useful and beautiful. I think making parchment would be a rewarding and artistic process, where I could apply my skills and knowledge of animal anatomy, chemistry, and geometry. I would also like to learn more about the history and culture behind parchment making, such as how different animals were used for different purposes, how parchment was valued and traded, and how it influenced the development of writing and art.

Secondly, I have a passion for reading and learning. I think being a parchment maker would give me access to a wealth of information and knowledge that was recorded on parchment. I would be able to read and study various books and manuscripts that were made from my parchment, such as religious texts, historical chronicles, scientific treatises, literary works, and artistic masterpieces. I would also be able to interact with other scholars and intellectuals who used my parchment for their research and education.

Thirdly, I have a personality that suits the profession of a parchment maker. I am patient, meticulous, and diligent. I am not deterred by challenges or difficulties that may arise in my work. I am also curious, adventurous, and open-minded. I can adapt to different situations and environments that may affect my work. I can also collaborate with other craftsmen and customers and maintain good relations with them.

How Would My Life Be as a Parchment Maker?

Of course, being a parchment maker in medieval times would not be easy or glamorous. It would involve long hours of work, physical labor, and exposure to unpleasant smells and substances. It would also require constant attention to detail, quality control, and safety measures. It would be a competitive business that depended on the demand and supply of parchment, as well as on the political and economic situation of the time.

However, it would also be fulfilling and enriching in many ways. It would allow me to express my creativity and skill in making an essential and versatile product. It would also provide me with a steady income and a respectable social status. It would enable me to travel to different places and meet new people. It would also give me a sense of pride and accomplishment in contributing to the preservation and dissemination of knowledge and culture in the medieval world.

So there you have it! That's how I imagine my life as a parchment maker in medieval times. What do you think? Would you like to be a parchment maker too? Or would you prefer another occupation? Let me know in the comments below! And stay tuned for more posts about my alternate occupations in history!