Medieval Books Were Covered in Exotic Sealskins

Archaeology Magazine ^ | April 11, 2025 | editors / unattributed

[Stanwood_Dave]

"Seal skin has a unique structure making it stronger and more pliable and more waterproof compared to other leathers."

FYI you do know about foot wear by native Alaskans known as Mukluk (Pronounced like: Mud-luc's)

Mukluks or kamik are soft boots, traditionally made of reindeer (caribou) skin or sealskin, and worn by Indigenous Arctic peoples, including Inuit, Iñupiat, and Yup'ik.

Just something I learned from a native Alaskan friend I have. I'll leave out the part about soaking in urine to make the sealskin softer to work with, i.e. sewing.

[Albion Wilde]

The reference to sealskin, and the seals native to Scotland and Scandanavia, is putting me in mind of The Great Silkie of Sule Skerry [Wikipedia], the old Scottish ballad, adapted and covered by many, many recording artists in the 20th century. Here is a particularly beautiful rendition done more recently:

OLD CELTIC & NORDIC BALLADS : The Great Silkie of Sule Skerry
Joanne McIVER : Vocals
Aliocha REGNARD : Nyckelharpa
Jean-Luc LENOIR : Guitar, CelticHarp, Kravik Lyre, Dulcimer, Arrangement