The Cambridge History of the Book in Britain: Volume 3, 1400–1557

The history of the book from 1400 to 1557: the transition from manuscripts to printed books.

Lotte Hellinga (Edited by), J. B. Trapp (Edited by)

9781107698758, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 20 March 2014

830 pages, 71 b/w illus.
22.8 x 15.2 x 4.3 cm, 1.18 kg

'… undoubtedly the definitive book on the subject.' Journal of Documentation

This volume of The Cambridge History of the Book in Britain presents an overview of the century-and-a-half between the death of Chaucer in 1400 and the incorporation of the Stationers' Company in 1557. The profound changes during that time in social, political and religious conditions are reflected in the dissemination and reception of the written word. The manuscript culture of Chaucer's day was replaced by an ambience in which printed books would become the norm. The emphasis in this collection of essays is on the demand and use of books. Patterns of ownership are identified as well as patterns of where, why and how books were written, printed, bound, acquired, read and passed from hand to hand. The book trade receives special attention, with emphasis on the large part played by imports and on links with printers in other countries, which were decisive for the development of printing and publishing in Britain.

Introduction L. Hellinga and J. B. Trapp
1. Literacy, books and readers J. B. Trapp
2. Foreign illuminators and illuminated manuscripts J. J. G. Alexander
3. Printing L. Hellinga
4. Bookbinding, 1400–1557 M. M. Foot
5. The rise of London's book trade C. Paul Christianson
6. The customs rolls as documents for the printed-book trade in England Paul Needham
7. The book trade under Edward VI and Mary I John N. King
8. Importation of printed books Margaret Lane Ford
9. Private ownership of printed books Margaret Lane Ford
10. Monastic libraries, 1400–1557 David N. Bell
11. The royal collections to 1461 Jenny Stratford
12. The Royal Library from Edward IV to Henry VII Janet Backhouse
13. The Royal Library under Henry VIII James P. Carley
14. The humanist book J. B. Trapp
15. University libraries and booksellers Elisabeth Leedham-Green
16. Text-books in the universities Kristian Jensen
17. Text-books: a case study: logic E. J. Ashworth
18. The canon law R. H. Helmholz
19. The civil law A. Wijffels
20. The books of the common law J. H. Baker
21. Medicine and science Peter M. Jones
22. Schools and schoolbooks Nicholas Orme
23. Practical books for the gentleman George R. Keiser
24. Devotional literature Mary C. Erler
25. Gentlewomen's reading Carol M. Meale and Julia Boffey
26. Music John Milsom
27. Literary texts Julia Boffey and A. S. G. Edwards
28. Press, politics and religion Pamela Neville-Sington
Appendix
Bibliography
Indexes.

Subject Areas: Publishing industry & book trade [KNTP], Bibliographies, catalogues [GBCR], Literary studies: general [DSB]