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akaspeedo

eidenmyr

"There were various formulations for ink, especially in the early middle ages, but the most common concoction became that known as iron gall ink. It used combinations of iron vitriol, or ferrous sulphate, and oak galls mixed with wine, water or vinegar. Oak galls are swellings found on oak trees caused by insect attack, and whoever thought that it might be a brilliant idea to use them for concocting ink is lost to history." (Inks and Colorings)

"The modern word 'ink' derives from another Latin word: encaustum--'that which burns in.' By far the most common ink in Western European history is the encaustum made from tannin and copperas, that is tannin made from oak galls (the swelling in the bark of the oak tree) plus iron sulphate." (Christopher Jarman, Illumination for Modern Calligraphers)

"Here is a simple recipe for making ink: place half a dozen oak galls into half a jam jar of rainwater. Drop in four or five small iron nails. Leave on a sunny windowsill for a week, by which time you will have ink. ...With the addition of a little gum arabic, this will make a fine traditional ink that will not fade even on prolonged exposure to light. There are no exact proportions for this ink--you will need to try it for yourself to see how it suits your purpose." (Christopher Jarman, Illumination for Modern Calligraphers)