The Cambridge History of the Book in Britain

This is the only comprehensive history of the book in England and Wales from the Norman Conquest until c.1400.

Preface; Part I. The Roles of Books: 1. Books and society Christopher de Hamel; 2. Language and literacy Rodney M. Thomson and Nigel J. Morgan; Part II. Book Production: 3. The format of books: books, booklets and rolls Pamela Robinson; 4. Layout and presentation of the text M. B. Parkes; 5. Technology of production of the manuscript book: I. Parchment and ruling Rodney M. Thomson; II. Illumination Nigel J. Morgan; III. Binding Michael Gullick and Nicholas Hadcraft; 6. Handwriting in English books c.1100-1425 M. B. Parkes; 7. Monastic and Cathedral book production Rodney M. Thomson; 8. Urban production of manuscript books and the role of the university towns M. A. Michael; Part III. Readership, Libraries, Texts and Contexts: 9. Library catalogues and indexes Richard Sharpe; 10. University and monastic texts: I. Biblical exegesis, theology,and philosophy Jeremy Catto; II. Latin poetry, satires, fables and grammar Jan Ziolkowski; III. Encyclopaedias Michael Twomey; 11. Law Nigel Ramsay; 12. Books for the liturgy and private prayer Nigel J. Morgan; 13. Compilations for preaching and Lollard literature: I. Compilations for preaching Alan Fletcher; II. Lollard literature Anne Hudson; 14. Spiritual writings and religious instruction Alexandra Barratt; 15. Vernacular literature and its readership: I. Anglo-Norman Tony Hunt; II. Middle English Julia Boffey and A. S. G. Edwards; III. Welsh Daniel Huws; 16. History and history books Geoffrey Martin and Rodney M. Thomson; 17. Archive books Nigel Ramsay; 18. Scientific and medical writings Charles Burnett and Peter Jones; 19. Music Nicolas Bell; 20. Illustration and decoration Martin Kauffman; Bibliography; General index; Index of manuscripts; Plates.