OLD BOOKS & CIPHERS
Books, links and videos to help unlock the secrets of the Medieval manuscripts, monks
and monasteries that inspired The Ateban Cipher novels.
Like all of my novels, The Ateban Cipher was inspired by a question and a feeling (you can read more about that here in FAQs), but it’s underpinned by a deep curiosity about beautiful old books.
Illuminated Medieval manuscripts to be precise.
Just like The Book Of Kells (left), which I travelled thousands of kilometres to see (and was devastated not to be able to take home!). So I’ve put together these resources, hoping to spark your curiosity too!
You can find more information about MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPTS HERE:
- About the Voynich Manuscript
- More about the Voynich Manuscript
- See The Voynich Manuscript
- See The Book Of Kells
- 10 of the most mysterious codes and ciphers in history
- A beginner’s guide to Medieval manuscripts
- Illuminated manuscripts: facts for kids
- What is an illuminated manuscript
- Children’s books and Medieval illumination more about LIFE IN THE MIDDLE AGES:
If you’d like to do more reading about old books, ciphers, illuminated manuscripts and life in the middle ages, you might be interested in some of these books:
- Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts Christopher de Hamel
- Illuminated manuscripts Richard Hayman
- The Book Of Colours (novel) Robyn Cadwallader
- Making Medieval Manuscripts Christopher de Hamel
- Growing Up In The Middle Ages Paul B. Newman
- Life In a Medieval Village Francis and Joseph Giles
THESE books ARE JUST for kids:
- A Street Through Time Steve Noon (6+)
- Margeurite Makes A Book Bruce Robertson and Kathryn Hewit (8-11)
- A Kid’s Life During The Middle Ages Sarah Machajewski (8+)
- The Ink Garden Of Brother Theophane C.M. Millen (8+)
- Illuminated Letters Sketchbook Jane Sullivan (12+)
- Book list for younger readers: The Middle Ages and Renaissance
- The Hawk Of The Castle: A Story Of Medieval Falconry Danna Smith (Illustrator: Bagram Ibatoulline) (6+)
- Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices From A Medieval Village Laura Amy Schlitz (Illustrator: Robert Byrd ) (9-11)
CRAFT ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS:
- Art activity for kids: How to make an illuminated manuscript
- Colour Your Own Medieval Monastery
- Design Your Own Illuminated Initials
Discover the ATEBAN CIPHER NOVELS
THE BOOK OF SECRETS and THE BOOK OF ANSWERS make up the exciting and thought-provoking ATEBAN CIPHER duology. When Gabe is handed a mysterious book by a dying man, he must leave behind the only life he has ever known at Oldham Abbey and flee into the deep, dark forest – where he finds some unlikely allies. As he navigates the outside world, Gabe discovers adventure, friendship and secrets – some of which are his own. The series is available in Australia, New Zealand, and the USA. You can find more details here.
