Notebooks and diaries

A leather notebook or medieval journal is far more than just a writing implement – it is an accessory with character that suits your LARP character, historical costume and medieval market just as well as it does your desk at home. In this category, you’ll find 26 handmade leather books, journals and diaries from Lord of Battles and Battle Merchant, with genuine leather covers and pages made from handmade paper – in sizes ranging from compact to A4, starting from around €15.

What’s inside? Notebooks, diaries, journals and songbooks at a glance

The terms notebook, diary, journal and songbook are often used interchangeably in everyday language – but there are subtle differences within the range. A diary or journal usually contains more pages (between 100 and 110 pages in the range) and is designed for regular, longer entries. A notebook such as the ‘Ranger of the Wilderness Scroll’ offers a compact 48 pages – practical as a LARP prop or for quick notes at the market. The songbook follows the same structure, but deliberately bears a melodious name for bards, troubadours and music enthusiasts in a medieval setting.

The range features two quality levels for the cover: products labelled ‘leather’ use covers made from genuine cowhide in various thicknesses, whilst items labelled ‘100% leather’ feature a cover made entirely of full-grain leather without any composite materials – recognisable by a more uniform surface and greater weight. The colour palette ranges from natural brown through dark brown to black and red.

The formats in the range include compact landscape formats of around 21 × 14 cm, portrait formats close to A5 size of around 14 × 21 cm, and the generous 18 × 23 cm format of the Black Leather Book with Pentagram – ideal for detailed drawings or lengthy texts. Prices range from around €15 for entry-level models to just under €59 for large-format full-leather books with braided edges and handmade laid paper.

Motifs and designs: from Celtic to fantasy

The range of motifs featured in the leather books can be divided into four distinct groups, each appealing to different settings and characters.

Were there really diaries in the Middle Ages? Historical background

The question of whether diaries existed in the Middle Ages cannot be answered with a simple yes or no – it takes us right into the writing culture of an era in which the written word was a privilege and a source of power.

In the modern sense – as a regularly kept personal daily journal – the Middle Ages knew little of the diary. Writing was a skill reserved almost exclusively for clerics, monks and educated merchants. What did exist, however, were various forms of personal records: chronicles (historical accounts by monks), itineraries (travel accounts by pilgrims and merchants), correspondence, and merchant ledgers in which traders recorded routes, prices and experiences. Francesco Datini, a merchant from Prato, left behind over 150,000 letters and records in the 14th century – one of the most extensive primary sources of the late Middle Ages.

Medieval books themselves were precious objects: handwritten manuscripts, books of hours for daily use by devout laypeople, magnificent Bibles and illuminated psalters. Paper did not reach Central Europe until the 12th/13th century – prior to that, writing was done on parchment (processed animal skin), which made every letter an expensive investment.

The most famous diary of all time in the modern sense is Anne Frank’s diary, kept between 1942 and 1944. Other well-known historical diaries include the writings of Samuel Pepys (17th century, England) and the Pillow Book by the Japanese court lady Sei Shōnagon (c. 1000 AD) – the latter being the closest in time to the medieval era. What unites all these works is something that today’s leather-bound books with handmade paper also embody: the desire to record thoughts, experiences and observations in a physical, tangible medium.

A high-quality leather diary with handmade paper is thus the modern interpretation of a cultural technique dating back millennia – whether as a LARP prop for a bard character, as a travel diary at a medieval market, or as a personal journal at home.

Rough-edged paper and craftsmanship: what makes handmade paper special

Handmade deckle-edged paper is the defining quality feature of these leather books – and at the same time what gives them their distinctive appearance. The eponymous deckle edge is created during the papermaking process: fibre pulp is poured into a mould (the deckle), the water drains away, and the characteristic uneven, slightly frayed edges form at the sides. This process has been documented in Europe since the 12th/13th century – paper production spread from Arab countries via Spain and Italy to Central Europe during the High Middle Ages, gradually replacing the more expensive parchment.

The number of pages varies depending on the model: the compact Ranger of the Wilderness scroll offers 48 pages, whilst most diaries and journals contain between 100 and 110 pages. All pages are blank – ideal for free writing, sketching, drawing or for note-taking in songbook format.

The binding and fastening options vary depending on the model: a strap fastening keeps the cover securely closed and protects the pages whilst on the move. The braided frame on the medieval diary with braided frame surrounds the cover with a woven leather structure. The braided edge – as seen on the Fleur De Lis Compass notebook with braided edge – connects the front and back covers with an intricately braided leather trim and is the most sophisticated finish in the range.

Caring for leather properly – so your leather book lasts a long time

Leather is sensitive to two extremes: too much moisture and excessive dryness. Both alter the leather’s structure over time – wet leather can harden or warp if dried incorrectly, whilst leather that remains permanently dry will crack over time. The most important care instructions for your leather book:

• Apply a thin layer of leather grease or leather care cream 1–2 times a year – this maintains suppleness and protects against drying out. You can find suitable products in the Leather Dye & Leather Grease category.
• Avoid direct sunlight or storing near a radiator – UV light and dry heat draw moisture from the leather and cause embossing to fade over time.
• Do not dampen the handmade paper pages – handmade paper swells when wet and becomes wavy; ink stains cannot be removed without leaving a residue.
• Store flat or upright, without strong external pressure – the strap fastening should be closed during storage so that the cover retains its shape.
• If the cover is heavily soiled: clean with a dry, soft cloth; for stubborn stains, use a slightly damp cloth – then condition immediately afterwards.

Which leather notebook suits you? Guidance based on intended use

Whether as a prop for your next LARP event, a personal diary for the medieval market, or a thoughtful gift – a leather diary with handmade paper is a companion that grows more beautiful with every passing year. Browse through the range and find the design that suits you or your character.

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