New Publication: ‘The Medieval Scriptorium: Making Books in the Middle Ages’, by Sara J. Charles

Pre-order the hardback via Waterstones. 

This book takes the reader on an immersive journey through medieval manuscript production in the Latin Christian world. Each chapter opens with a lively vignette by a medieval narrator – including a parchment-maker, scribe and illuminator – introducing various aspects of manuscript production. Sara Charles poses the question ‘What actually is a scriptorium?’, and explores the development of the medieval scriptorium from its early Christian beginnings through to its eventual decline and the growth of the printing press. With the written word at the very heart of the Christian monastic movement, we see the immense amount of labour, planning and networks needed to produce each individual manuscript. By tapping into these processes and procedures, we can experience medieval life through the lens of a manuscript maker.

Sara J. Charles works and studies at Senate House, University of London. She has previously published on various aspects of the history of the book.

Publisher: Reaktion Books