MAKING AND USING A MEDIEVAL GLUE WITH VERDIGRIS

Making and using a medieval glue with verdigris. 
By ED HARRIS
Ratios and ingredients by WILL SHERMAN

Recently on the EWBS Web site a document was uploaded regarding a traditional glue which includes verdigris. This was quite interesting as we are aware of copper glues being used on the Mary Rose arrows and we always like to find ways of improving the authenticity of our arrows and other equipment.

When the data was published it was eagerly read and we decided to try this out for ourselves.

We used the same ratios of ingredients the author (Will Sherman - https://www.medievalarrows.co.uk) has stated but initially only a 5th of the quantities. This was enough for 3 livery type arrows. The mixture was heated and mixed in a tuna tin while the cats enjoyed the tuna.

Most ingredients (bees wax, pine resin and turpentine) can be purchased online or down a hard ware store. Making the verdigris had to be done separately - see the last two pictures below.

The mixture then was painted onto the shaft and then the fletchings were bound. The mixture dried quite quickly but was still tacky enough to stick to the fetches.

When the two arrows were bound and knots tied off the glue was reheated on the arrows with a candle to help the glue seep around the bindings and into and gaps. I initially tried this with a hob flame but this is too hot and burns the fletchings.

Below are some pictures of the arrows and mixture being made.

Arrow stats:

1 ash and 1 poplar (aspen), 31" shoulder to nock and tapered 1/2" to 3/8". Goose fletchings - livery arrow size. Red silk bindings, cow horn insert and finished off with a tudor style head by Miloslav.

© ED HARRIS