Rubricators

Rubricators

A specialized scribe, present in the Middle Ages, who would add colored headings, initials, and other markings in red ink. These examples would be added to manuscripts and early printed books. This was to help guide readers and create structure within the text. In addition, there were some other special features added including illuminations and gold, silver, or colored graphic features that surrounded the text. The goal of this was to point out specific or important words and information in the writing.

Rubrication and illumination in the Malmesbury Bible from 1407

History

The history of the rubricator stretches back to ancient times, with the practice of using red to emphasize the important text appearing as early as Pharaonic Egypt. The term rubricator comes from the Latin word ruber, meaning "red." Rubrication became more apparent and critical in the European Middle Ages, primarily in monastic scriptoria, where the rubricator had the job of articulation the text's structure by adding headings, titles, and calendar feasts, following the specific instructions left by the main scribe.

This image shows a manuscript from the 15th century, featuring a rubricator’s signature in red ink. The manuscript represents the artistic and scholarly traditions of medieval bookbinding and illumination.

Rubricators remained essential even after the invention of the printing press around 1450. Early printed books left blank spaces for these functional and also decorative red markings to be added by hand to give the books a traditional appearance and legitimacy of a finished manuscript. Unfortunately, this practice began its decline in the late 15th century as printing technology advanced, allowing for more practical and quicker printing.

Process

The process in which rubrication followed in interesting. It began with the main scribe, who would leave blank spaces intentionally throughout the manuscript they were working on, where headings, large initials, or titles were meant to appear. In order to guide the rubricator, the scribe would also leave guide notes or annotations to specify the exact words or symbols that needed to be added. Following this, the rubricator would receive these pages, obtain the special red ink, and use a fine tipped pen to fill in the designated areas.

The red ink used for rubrication is specially created for the specific task. First, vinegar or urine are poured over thin lead sheets and set out to dry for a month. After the month, white flakes are harvested from the sheet. This flake process is repeated until enough are made. Next, the flakes are grounded onto a stone to make a powder. This powder is then put in a pot over fire and stirred with an iron rod to create red led.