The Cambridge History of the Book in Britain: Volume 1, c.400–1100

An authoritative account of the first millennium in the history of books.

Richard Gameson (Edited by)

9781108746045, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 19 September 2019

896 pages, 80 b/w illus.
15 x 23 x 5.4 cm, 1.31 kg

'The range of topics discussed and the scholarship involved make this the best one-volume guide we have to a field which has been expanding at a rapid rate throughout the last century.' Contemporary Review

This is the first comprehensive survey of the history of the book in Britain from Roman through Anglo-Saxon to early Norman times. The expert contributions explore the physical form of books, including their codicology, script and decoration; examine the circulation and exchange of manuscripts and texts between England, Ireland, the Celtic realms and the Continent; discuss the production, presentation and use of different classes of texts, ranging from fine service books to functional schoolbooks; and evaluate the libraries that can be associated with particular individuals and institutions. The result is an authoritative account of the first millennium of the history of books, manuscript-making and literary culture in Britain which, intimately linked to its cultural contexts, sheds vital light on broader patterns of political, ecclesiastical and cultural history extending from the period of the Vindolanda writing tablets through the age of Bede and Alcuin to the time of the Domesday Book.

Preface
1. From Vindolanda to Domesday: the book in Britain from the Romans to the Normans Richard Gameson
Part I. The Making of Books: 2. The material fabric of early British books Richard Gameson
3. Anglo-Saxon scribes and scriptoria Richard Gameson
4. Writing in the insular world Michelle P. Brown
5. Script in Wales, Scotland and Cornwall Helen McKee
6. English vernacular script Julia Crick
7. Latin script in England c.900–1100: a. Square minuscule David Ganz
b. English Caroline minuscule Rebecca Rushforth
c. The Norman Conquest and handwriting in England to 1100 Teresa Webber
8. The design and decoration of Insular gospel-books and other liturgical manuscripts, c.600–900 Nancy Netzer
9. The decoration of the earliest Welsh manuscripts Nancy Edwards
10. Book decoration in England, c.871–c.1100 Richard Gameson
11. Book-bindings Michael Gullick
Part II. The Circulation of Books: 12. Exchanges between England and the Continent in the early Middle Ages Rosamond McKitterick
13. The circulation of books between England and the Celtic realms Helen McKee
14. The circulation of books between England and the Continent, c.871–c.1100 Richard Gameson
Part III. Types of Books and their Uses: 15. The book in Roman Britain R. S. O. Tomlin
16. The use of the book in Wales, c.400–1100 T. M. Charles-Edwards
17. The Biblical manuscripts of Anglo-Saxon England Richard Marsden
18. Anglo-Saxon Gospel books, c.900–1066 Patrick McGurk
19. Liturgical books Richard Pfaff
20. Anglo-Saxon prayerbooks Barbara Raw
21. Psalters Jane Toswell
22. Music books Susan Rankin
23. Anglo-Saxon schoolbooks Scott Gwara
24. Lawbooks Patrick Wormald
25. Manuscripts of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle Simon Keynes
26. Old English homiliaries and poetic manuscripts Donald Scragg
Part IV. Collections of Books: 27. Patrick, apostle of Ireland David Howlett
28. The library of Iona at the time of Adomnan Thomas O'Loughlin
29. Literacy in Anglo-Saxon England M. R. Godden
30. Aldhelm's library Andy Orchard
31. The library of the Venerable Bede Rosalind Love
32. The library of Alcuin's York Mary Garrison
33. The library of Cynewulf Fiona Gameson
34. King Alfred and his circle Rohini Jayatilaka
35. Ælfric's library M. R. Godden
36. The library of Byrhtferth Michael Lapidge
37. Wulfstan of York Andy Orchard
38. Rhygyfarch ap Sulien David Howlett
Coda Richard Gameson
Bibliography
Index of manuscripts cited
General index.

Subject Areas: Publishing industry & book trade [KNTP], History: specific events & topics [HBT], Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], European history [HBJD], Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB], Literary studies: general [DSB]