Parchment

Although it looks like heavy weight paper, the charter is written on parchment.

Although it looks like heavy weight paper, the charter is written on parchment.

Parchment is made from the untanned skins of animals, most usually sheep, calves and goats. Vellum is a special kind of parchment only made from calf skin or occasionally other young animals. Making parchment is a long process. First, the skin is removed from the animal and all the hair and flesh is cleaned away. Then the skin is stretched on a wooden frame. The surface of the skin is then scraped with a special curved knife called a lunellum. The skin is then wetted and dried before another round of scraping, wetting and drying. This continues until the skin is the right thickness and tautness for use. Sometimes the skin will then be rubbed with a pumice stone and chalk to enable the surface to better accept ink.

Parchment has traditionally been used for important documents because it is considered more stable than paper. This means it is less susceptible to deterioration and will last much longer. The US Constitution and Declaration of Independence are written on parchment.

A 15th century parchment maker using a crescent-shaped scraper (lunellum) to work a stretched skin clamped to a drying frame. c. 1425 Nuremberg, Germany

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Iconography

Iconography

Despite being an official legal document, the charter is adorned with ornate images. All these symbols together represent a strong and powerful Queen, with the authority and divine right to rule her country.

The Seal

The Seal

Seals allowed an appointed officer to authorise documents rather than a monarch having to sign in person. Only one design was ever in use at once making forgeries difficult. A pictorial authorisation was also important when most people could not read or write.

People

People

Throughout the history of Queen Elizabeth’s School there are many people who are remembered for their contributions to the school as well as for their exploits in the wider world.

Music

Music

Music is an essential part of life at Queen Elizabeth’s and every year students deliver a skilled and creative programme of musical performances.

Palaeography

Palaeography

At Queen Elizabeth’s School our palaeography group students have been transcribing the earliest minute books and taking a detailed look at the school charter which poses the additional challenge of being written in renaissance Latin.

School history quiz

School history quiz

How much do you know about the history of Queen Elizabeth’s School? Test your knowledge here.