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

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.

Table of Contents:
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.

About the Author :
Richard Gameson is Professor of the History of the Book at Durham University.

Review :
'… the essays achieve an admirable balance between the big picture and the telling details … this collection of texts is useful and stimulating for a wide readership, and a valuable introduction to the seven-volume Cambridge series …' The Times Literary Supplement '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