This important and overdue book examines illuminated manuscripts and other book arts of the Global Middle Ages. Illuminated manuscripts and illustrated or decorated books—like today’s museums—preserve a rich array of information about how premodern peoples conceived of and perceived the world, its many cultures, and everyone’s place in it. Often a Eurocentric field of study, manuscripts are prisms through which we can glimpse the interconnected global history of humanity. Toward a Global Middle Ages is the first publication to examine decorated books produced across the globe during the period traditionally known as medieval. Through essays and case studies, the volume’s multidisciplinary contributors expand the historiography, chronology, and geography of manuscript studies to embrace a diversity of objects, individuals, narratives, and materials from Africa, Asia, Australasia, and the Americas—an approach that both engages with and contributes to the emerging field of scholarly inquiry known as the Global Middle Ages. Featuring more than 160 color illustrations, this wide-ranging and provocative collection is intended for all who are interested in engaging in a dialogue about how books and other textual objects contributed to world-making strategies from about 400 to 1600.
Essays exploring different aspects of late medieval and early modern manuscript and book culture. Late medieval manuscripts and early modern print history form the focus of this volume. It includes new work on the compilation of some important medieval manuscript miscellanies and major studies of merchant patronage and of a newly revealed woman patron, alongside explorations of medieval texts and the post-medieval reception history of Langland, Chaucer and Nicholas Love. It thus pays a fitting tribute to the career of Professor A.S.G. Edwards, highlighting his scholarly interests and demonstrating the influence of his achievements. Carol M. Meale is Senior Research Fellow at the University of Bristol; the late Derek Pearsall was Professor Emeritus at Harvard University and Honorary Research Professor at the University of York. Contributors: Nicolas Barker, J.A. Burrow, A.I. Doyle, Martha W. Driver, Susanna Fein, Jane Griffiths, Lotte Hellinga, Alfred Hiatt, Simon Horobin, Richard Linenthal, Carol M. Meale, Orietta Da Rold, John Scattergood, Kathleen L. Scott, Toshiyuki Takamiya, John J. Thompson.
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.
Explore the Fascinating World of Medieval Book Production with "Books and Their Makers during the Middle Ages" by George Haven Putnam Step back in time and journey into the rich tapestry of medieval literature and bookmaking with "Books and Their Makers during the Middle Ages" by George Haven Putnam. In this illuminating study, Putnam offers readers a comprehensive exploration of the conditions, processes, and individuals involved in the production and distribution of literature from the fall of the Roman Empire to the close of the seventeenth century. Uncover the Secrets of Medieval Book Production Join George Haven Putnam as he delves into the intricate world of medieval bookmaking, from the scriptoria of monasteries to the bustling workshops of urban centers. Through meticulous research and insightful analysis, Putnam reveals the painstaking processes involved in creating illuminated manuscripts, bound volumes, and other literary treasures of the Middle Ages. From the preparation of parchment and ink to the meticulous artistry of scribes and illuminators, readers gain a newfound appreciation for the skill, dedication, and craftsmanship that went into producing medieval books. Discover the Key Figures Shaping Literary History Explore the lives and contributions of key figures in the history of medieval literature and bookmaking, from renowned scribes and illuminators to enterprising publishers and booksellers. Putnam's engaging narrative brings these individuals to life, offering readers intimate glimpses into their creative processes, professional challenges, and enduring legacies. Through anecdotes, biographical sketches, and historical insights, readers gain a deeper understanding of the human stories behind the parchment pages and illuminated manuscripts that have survived the centuries. Why "Books and Their Makers during the Middle Ages" Is a Must-Read: Comprehensive Scholarship: Gain a thorough understanding of the conditions and processes involved in medieval book production, from the materials used to the methods employed. Engaging Narrative: Experience the captivating story of medieval literature and bookmaking through George Haven Putnam's accessible prose and rich storytelling. Insightful Analysis: Explore the social, cultural, and economic factors that shaped the production and distribution of literature in the Middle Ages, shedding light on broader trends in medieval society. Historical Context: Situate medieval bookmaking within its broader historical context, from the decline of the Roman Empire to the cultural and intellectual ferment of the Renaissance.Embark on a fascinating journey through the annals of medieval literature and bookmaking with "Books and Their Makers during the Middle Ages" by George Haven Putnam. Whether you're a scholar, a history buff, or simply curious about the origins of the written word, this comprehensive study offers a compelling portrait of a pivotal era in literary history.
'This book is an expression of love... Sublimely conceived and beautifully written' Gerard DeGroot, The Times 'Immersive, conversational and intensely visual' Helen Castor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Manuscripts teem with life. They are not only the stuff of history and literature, but they offer some of the only tangible evidence we have of entire lives, long receded. Hidden Hands tells the stories of the artisans, artists, scribes and readers, patrons and collectors who made and kept the beautiful, fragile objects that have survived the ravages of fire, water and deliberate destruction to form a picture of both English culture and the wider European culture of which it is part. Without manuscripts, she shows, many historical figures would be lost to us, as well as those of lower social status, women and people of colour, their stories erased, and the remnants of their labours destroyed. From the Cuthbert Bible, to works including those by the Beowulf poet, Margery Kempe, Julian of Norwich, Sir Thomas Malory, Chaucer, the Paston Letters and Shakespeare, Mary Wellesley describes the production and preservation of these priceless objects. With an insistent emphasis on the early role of women as authors and artists and illustrated with over fifty colour plates, Hidden Hands is an important contribution to our understanding of literature and history.
"Books before print -manuscripts- were modified continuously throughout the medieval period. Focusing on the ninth and twelfth centuries, this volume explores such material changes as well as the varying circumstances under which handwritten books were produced, used and collected. An important theme is the relationship between the physical book and its users. Can we reflect on reading practices through an examination of the layout of a text? To what extent can we use the contents of libraries to understand the culture of the book? The volume explores such issues by focusing on a broad palette of texts and through a detailed analysis of manuscripts from all corners of Europe"--Publisher's description.
