Chapter 5

Chapter 5: A History lesson - Illuminated Manuscripts

Download the Python 3.7.2. file here

This is harder than it looks. Angles were a challenge, but we like the result.

This ended up as a Chapter about a History lesson. However, Beth and I had some discussion about it possibly being an English punctuation lesson (on capital letters) or possibly an Art lesson (on calligraphy), or Maths (angles). What do you think?

How about writing a different story from Beth’s, with the letter M included? (Feel free to borrow her Python coding.)

Or changing the outline, or fill colour, of the letter M?

Or changing the yellow surrounding box to a different colour (easy), or shape (harder)?

Or using Python to draw a different letter, such as L or N (easy) or S (harder)?

Or the letters of your own name?

Download the Python file, and create your own response.

Illuminated Manuscripts

Professor Twoot's new parrot secretary, Madam Polly, was very helpful.

She told Malika a whole week in advance when she would be needed. Dr Bridle, the horse teacher of History, was helping out on a school trip, and his class needed a cover teacher.

Madam Polly also told Malika that Dr Bridle's class was learning about the Middle Ages. They were learning about illuminated manuscripts, specifically Bestiaries. It was going to be their first lesson on this topic.

After Malika took the register, she wanted to find out how much the class already knew.

"Today," Malika said, "we will be learning about Bestiaries, a popular type of illuminated manuscript in the Middle Ages."

"Before we get started," Kit, the rabbit, asked, "what is a Bestiary?"

"Oh! I know!"

"Yes, Lutro."

"Bestiaries are books about animals, sometimes imaginary ones, with descriptions and pictures"

"Yes, one of my dear ancestors posed for some of those images." Raymond, the peacock, said.

The class got on with their work quietly. Near the end of the lesson, Madam Polly came to check on their progress.

Seeing Madam Polly at the door, Malika said, "Maisy, would you please show Madam Polly the extension work you have been doing?"

"Yes, Miss. I will show you a lovely letter M that I have made, on the Whiteboard. It is like the first letter of an illuminated manuscript. Watch!"

Code

import turtle

turt=turtle.Pen()

turt.fillcolor("plum")

turt.pencolor("indigo")

turt.pensize("2")

turt.begin_fill()

turt.left(90)

turt.forward(200)

turt.right(130)

turt.forward(100)

turt.left(80)

turt.forward(100)

turt.right(130)

turt.forward(200)

turt.left(90)

turt.forward(10)

turt.left(90)

turt.forward(220)

turt.left(130)

turt.forward(113)

turt.right(80)

turt.forward(113)

turt.left(130)

turt.forward(220)

turt.left(90)

turt.forward(10)

turt.left(90)

turt.end_fill()

turt.penup()

turt.pencolor("gold")

turt.pensize("10")

turt.left(180)

turt.forward(100)

turt.pendown()

turt.left(90)

turt.forward(275)

turt.left(90)

turt.forward(400)

turt.left(90)

turt.forward(400)

turt.left(90)

turt.forward(400)

turt.left(90)

turt.forward(125)

That’s it for the time being. Have fun exploring and developing some of the ideas presented in this project.

Best wishes,

Lawrence and Beth