Original Binding

Original Binding
 

Primary Cover and Overcover

It is not certain the type of wood used for the boards or the material used for the primary covering. The over-covering is a typical English Romanesqe binding, made of a heavier substance (Cains, 145). Hadgraft believes that the over-cover is white alum-tawed leather, and that it would have extended beyond the edges of the boards to form a protective skirt for the edges of the text block.

Worm Holes

There was a wood-worm infestation of the original boards noted, because there was a pattern of small exit holes and a ramification of tunnels etched into the parchment's pasted surface (Cains, 146). This is interesting because this manuscript is very old, and the fact that insects might destroy the wood, suggests that there is another way of interpreting the materials within the manuscript--insects. Researchers believe that oak wood is less infested, by certain insects: " Harold Plenderleith has noted that wood-boring insects may be identified either by the size of the holes they leave on emerging to lay eggs, or by the material attacked" (Cains, 146). As the book history is researched the subject of science comes into play. How wood is infested may contribue to the question of board materials used in early history. Hadgraft believes that beechwood is not a likely wood used during the period, but possibly oak wood.

Clasps

Clasps are metal fittings that are attached to the boards at the edge of a binding in order to hold the book shut and preserve the parchment (Brown, 41). According to Cains, there is evidence of two clasps on the Ellesmere. On each pastedown there are two verdigris copper alloy-stained points about 25 to 30 mm inward. This stain indicated that there was a clasp or strap in that location, along with "catch-plate nails" (Cains, 146). The nail marks suggest that the clasp or strap plate has symmetry. The clasp and catch would have to pass through slots cut into the board. In the Hengwt the chemise remains under the catch plates, so it is clear that the clasps were mounted over the chemise, like in the following picture:

HM 35300, Bede, Historia Ecclesiastica (?)

.The HM 35300 is a model board for the Ellesmere manuscript. It is about the same general shape with the same width and thickness for the manuscript.

1995 Cover

Boards

For the repair of the manuscript researchers cushioned the spine edges, entry holes were drilled and tapereamed to produce a tight fit for the double cord. the boards were laced on (Cains, p. 155).

Cover

• No new parchment flyleaves would be added
• inside board surface would remain exposed
• cover material would be white tawed calf
• Thread used was more tight and thicker than the original thread
• Goatskin parchment used to line the spine ( to blend with the color of oak boards)
• boards were laced and pegged
• Endbands sewen through the lining and the sewing slips were laced in and pegged

Cover was adhered with cooked wheat-flour paste to the boards (Cains, p. 151).

1995 Binding of the Ellesmere Chaucer