1. This paper was originally presented as a lecture, and has been altered only slightly for publication
2. 'The Latin wordabortivumoccasionally applied to fine parchment in the Middle Ages (though rarely) has given rise to another form of superstition which has become widespread, namely, that the finest medieval parchment, and particularly the very thin, flexible, opaque, small, thirteenth-century French Bible vellum was made from the skins of stillborn calves. There is as nearly as possible no evidence for this belief. It may be true. I have no figures on infant mortality among livestock in the Middle Ages; but I should be inclined to think that animal husbandry must have been in a very precarious condition if enough calves were stillborn in the thirteenth century to provide all the pages which pass for “uterine” vellum.’
3. Thompson, D. V. 1936.The Materials of Medieval Painting27London: Dover Publications. reprinted by p
4. 1972. This is not intended as a complete description of parchment manufacture: for this (and for the relevant terminology) the reader must consult an authority such as Reed, R.Ancient Skins, Parchments and Leathers, Seminar Press, London