Description
Book SynopsisTrade Review"An excellent resource on medieval English literary manuscripts before the age of print (c750–c1500), this handbook stands out from other recent introductions because of its clarity, systematic coverage, and elegant aesthetic appreciations—notwithstanding the challenges of immersing the reader in handwriting, languages, and forms and kinds of medieval literary works that are difficult for most modern readers even in curated, modern forms." * Choice *
"Clearly connecting two disciplines that are brought together often but uneasily,
Medieval English Manuscripts and Literary Forms will be a crucial resource for teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and its elucidation of key methodological and conceptual questions will be a useful provocation to all scholars in these fields." * Daniel Wakelin, University of Oxford *
Table of ContentsPreface
Introduction. Reading Medieval Books
Reading Medieval Books: Studies in the Twenty-First Century
Reading Medieval Texts: Chaucer’s “Adam Scriveyn”
The Anatomy of the Medieval Manuscript
1. The Writing Surface
1.1. Earlier Supports: Stone, Wax, Papyrus
1.2. Parchment
1.3. Paper
2. Writing
2.1. Pricking and Ruling
2.2. Writing Instruments
2.3. Scripts
2.4 Abbreviation
2.5. Punctuation
2.6. Musical Notation
2.7. Correction
2.8. Annotation
2.9. Editing
3. Decoration and Illustration
3.1. Rubrication
3.2. Line Fillers
3.3. Borders and Marginalia
3.4. Initials
3.5. Illustrations
3.6 Diagrams and Maps
4. Bindings and the Shape of the Book
4.1. Roll
4.2. Codex
5. Standard Manuscript Description
