Illuminated Manuscripts and Their Makers Review

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(More customer reviews)As a collector of medieval manuscripts, I found this book a wonderful resource for studying and researching within my own manuscripts, as well as others in the world. It's a very colorful and illustrated book, with many magnified and enlarged photographs of manuscripts so that the reader can get a better look at details! I recommend this book to any person who already collects manuscripts, or anyone who is simply interested in them, and needs information. You will find great history and background information within the pages of this book, as well. The "exhibit" in this book displays some of the most beautiful and inspiring manuscripts from the Victoria and Albert Museum. All 25 have good information and great photographs so that the reader can get "up close" to these priceless manuscripts. My applause goes out to the author, Rowan Watson, for a job WELL DONE!

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The magnificent pages of medieval missals, books of hours, brevaries, and bibles sparkle with detail illuminating the world in which they were created. This splendid volume, featuring some of the finest illuminated masterpieces from the exceptional collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum, details the remarkable collaboration and craftsmanship that went into the creation of these delicate treasures.Close-up details show the intricacies of the various techniques used to create these fragile and rarely seen works. By helping the reader to appreciate the individual elements of illumination--the initials, borders, illustrations, script, and binding--Rowan Watson brings the world of the scribes, illuminators, and book dealers to life, and sheds light on the cooperative religious communities in which many of them worked. Watson also looks at the survival of illumination after the printing press and its revival in the 19th century in the hands of such pioneering designers as Owen Jones and William Morris.

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History and Memory in the Carolingian World Review

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(More customer reviews)This work discusses how the Carolingians used history both to establish for their culture a "sense of place" as well as to establish a record, both for current and future readers, of their actions.
McKitterick discusses, in considerable depth, how Carolingian society concerned itself with history. She goes into some depth detailing how ancient works were copied and widely disseminated, helping to give the Carolingians an established place in the world from a historical perspective. Aspects which are covered include what ancient texts were widely copied, where they were copied, and which works made their way into most well-stocked libraries, as well as how this reflects the desire of Carolingians to establish for themselves a place, historically speaking, in the world.
She also discusses the historical works written during the Carolingian period and how those written under royal authority were, not necessarily falsified, but slanted to present the Royal family in as favorable of a light as possible. Again, aspects which are covered include a comparison of past events as viewed through different contemporary works, which events appear to have been altered or perhaps even invented, as in the case of the request (or non-request as McKitterick argues) by Pope Zacharius for the Carolingian Mayor of the Palace to become ruler of the Franks in name as well as in practice. By and large she believes that these histories should be viewed through a more critical lense than many historians have previously; that we must look at these works not as an account of what actually happened, but of what the Carolingians wanted people to believe happened.
Because this is more of a discussion type of work, presenting information, than one designed to prove or disprove a thesis, I won't go into a lot of depth regarding the content. Suffice it to say that, as always, McKitterick approaches her topic with thoroughness and enthusiasm. She provides a great deal of information regarding historical texts, their authorship, and what the dissemination of various works meant in terms of the Carolingians trying to establish a history.
There are items I disagree with, such as some aspects of her discussion of the Royal Frankish Annals and Paul the Deacon, particularly her belief that the omission in Paul's History of the Lombards of anything following the death of Liutprand was by design rather than through his failure to finish it before his death, however in a discussion type work this is of little importance.
There are several sources which are discussed in quite a bit of detail. It would be helpful for any reader to be familiar with Carolingian source material but in particular, having knowledge of the Liber Historiae Francorum, the Royal Frankish Annals, the Liber Pontificalis and Paul's History of the Lombards will be very useful as she spends quite a bit of time with these. Familiarity with Fredegar's Chronicle and Continuations, Nithard, Einhard and Notkar will be useful but not as critical.
This is a very good work with a lot of detail. At times the writing becomes heavy and you can get bogged down in the minutiae of details. There were also several arguments she presented which seem to me to be tenuous at best. Nevertheless, the sheer volume of information presented here makes this a very worthwhile book. The reader will leave with a much better sense of how important history was to the Carolingians, as well as the value they placed in how they were perceived by current and future generations.

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This study reveals the remarkable quantity of varied forms and new types of history written in the Frankish realms of Western Europe during the eighth and ninth centuries. The Franks also preserved the classical and Judaeo-Christian histories from earlier centuries. Their books reflect a highly sophisticated and many-layered understanding of the past as well as a very creative use of history. Rosamond McKitterick illuminates the extraordinarily influential role of these history texts in the formation of political ideologies and senses of identity within Europe.

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The Calligrapher's Handbook Review

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(More customer reviews)This is probably the essential reference for calligraphers wanting to move beyond writing on paper and with randomly purchased inks.
Most books on calligraphy technique are largely devoted to lettering guides and some minimal instruction on materials. Not this one! The book contains a series of chapters written by acknowledged experts in the field.
This book is about gilding described in more detail, about cutting quills, about binding books, about preparing vellum. In short, about all those lovely calligraphy materials and techniques so often described in aggravating inadequacy in so many calligraphic how-to's.
Written well, that even the most fearful beginner can follow the instructions, this book is a boon for every calligrapher who wants to move beyond copying the ductus.

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The Apprentice's Masterpiece: A Story of Medieval Spain Review

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(More customer reviews)The end of the Golden Age of Spain is presented in free verse from the perspective of Ramon, a converso (Jew who converted to Christianity) and Amir, a Mudejar (Muslim living under Christian rule). Even though Ramon's family has converted, they live in constant fear and are considered second class citizens. Their work as scribes makes them even more suspect. The persecution, fear, and brief moments of happiness are related in short installments that reflect the tenuous relationships of the characters. Ramon's father's attention to Amir sparks jealousy and suspicion, with both boys leaving the house. Ramon becomes a scribe for the Inquisition in order to earn money for his family; Amir runs away after a dangerous misunderstanding and ends up in the middle of the battle for Malaga. At the end of the story, the boys reunite, but their future is uncertain. The free verse sometimes make it hard to follow the story line, but some lines are gems, as when Ramon asks Amir to write a poem to his girlfriend Bea, a daughter of an official, and Amir writes "Your lips are as red as the blood on the hands of your father." There are graphic details of the tortures and punishments suffered by "heretics" during the Inquisition, and readers will have to have some knowledge of the period to fully appreciate the story. Readers twelve and up will enjoy this historical fiction that hits on the timely theme of what is wrought in the name of religion or nationalism. Review written for Jewish Book World Magazine by Kathe Pinchuck

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Warriors of God: Richard the Lionheart and Saladin in the Third Crusade Review

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(More customer reviews)Mr. Reston has produced an entertaining book about the Third
Crusade. Indeed, I stopped all other activities in my busy schedule to
finish the book.
Until I read this book, I had encountered very little about the
Crusades. Last year I read Karen Armstrong's "Islam," in which a few
paragraphs address the subject. So, to this point, most of my knowledge
comes from "Warriors of God."
There were a few things that struck me as odd about the book. First, no
footnotes. The book is full of odd and marvelous stories, and I wanted
to look up their sources. However, without the footnotes I could not do
that. Reston does provide a list of primary and secondary sources, but
it's unfortunate that he didn't give us more detail in footnotes.
Second, I was struck by his sympathies with the Muslims and relative
disdain for the Christians. I have no idea if his judgments are accurate
or not, but I did find it odd that his description of Saladin was so
deferential. This may be my westerner's view of things getting in the
way, but it's what I experienced when reading the book.
Finally, I couldn't tell what was true and what was not. Periodically
Reston would judiciously point out that a certain scribe might be
inflating figures or portraying his master in too favorable a light. But
then Reston doesn't use the same critical thinking, for example, about
the blood flowing in the streets of Jerusalem during the First
Crusade. It seemed to me that it would have helped if Reston had
supported that bit of lore with a not pointing out how it could be true
-- by some calculations in geometry -- that the Crusaders were literally
wading in the blood of their victims.
Despite my puzzlement, I heartily recommend Mr. Reston's book. It brings
the Third Crusade to life, the way a good novel would, but it still
retains authority as a historical account of the events of that time.

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The Palaeography of Gothic Manuscript Books: From the Twelfth to the Early Sixteenth Century (Cambridge Studies in Palaeography and Codicology) Review

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(More customer reviews)Great introduction to a variety of scripts that will be of use to beginners and advanced paleographers alike. Intelligently illustrated and well enough written to read straight through, but so sensibly organized that it makes a great reference work. Its intelligent use of the wealth of information provided in recent decades by the great catalogues of dated manuscripts will make it a standard work for years to come. My only possible reservation regards nomenclature. Derolez is a proponent of a modified version of the system of nomenclature advocated by Lieftinck and urges us not to use such standard terms as Gothic and Anglicana in the usual way. Since this is such a great book, it will strongly influence practice. Still readers might wish to take this recommendation with a pinch of salt.

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Albert Derolez has developed new terminology for describing the different scripts in this detailed study of handwriting in manuscript books produced in western and central Europe from c.1100 to c.1530. This makes Derolez's survey unique and an ideal tool for all interested in late-medieval book and handwriting culture.The text is illustrated with 600 drawings of letter-forms and 160 photographs of parts of manuscripts reproduced to actual-size.

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Charlemagne: The Formation of a European Identity Review

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(More customer reviews)Professor McKitterick's magisterial examination of Charlemagne is a welcome addition to literature on the King of the Franks,after 800 Emperor. The book is not a biographical narrative but an examination of five central concepts: (1) Charlemagne's contemporary "representation," that is, how he was portrayed in chronicles and other accounts, (2) the creation of the "Pippinid" dynasty, beginning with Charlemagne's father, Pippin III, and his grandfather Charles Martel, (3) Charlemgne's court, (4)royal communication in the Frankish kingdom and Empire, and (5) the relationship between knowledge and the exercise of power, with special reference to religious authority. This book is best read with a prior understanding of 8th and 9th century Continental history or after first reading a general recent biography on Charlemagne such as Derek Wilson's Charlemagne: A Biography. McKitterick's well-written book will likely serve as a standard reference for years to come. This is an excellent book.

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Charlemagne is often claimed as the greatest ruler in Europe before Napoleon. In this magisterial new study, Rosamond McKitterick re-examines Charlemagne the ruler and his reputation. She analyses the narrative representations of Charlemagne produced after his death, and thereafter focuses on the evidence from Charlemagne's lifetime concerning the creation of the Carolingian dynasty and the growth of the kingdom, the court and the royal household, communications and identities in the Frankish realm in the context of government, and Charlemagne's religious and cultural strategies. She offers a completely fresh and critical examination of the contemporary sources and in so doing transforms our understanding of the development of the Carolingian empire, the formation of Carolingian political identity, and the astonishing changes effected throughout Charlemagne's forty-six year period of rule. This is a major contribution to Carolingian history which will be essential reading for anyone interested in the medieval past. Rosamond McKitterick has also received the 2010 Dr A. H. Heineken Prize for History for her research into the Carolingians.

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The Bayeux Tapestry (Art & Design S.) Review

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(More customer reviews)The book includes a full reproduction of the tapestry sequence - an overview over 4 pages, with a full sequence of each scene then occupying (approx) a half A4 page taking 76 pages. Accompanying (under) the picture (plate) is a translation of the latin phrase is a commentary which attempts to relate to a historical context and/or event. In addition there are 80 pages of commentary about the tapestry (plus 6 pages of notes to the commentary ), including contemporary events, pictures of contemporary art, and highlighting the unknowns about its creation, as well as detailing its known history and restorations. In all useful for contemporary art & life, the Norman invasion as well as very informed information about the tapestry.

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Latin Palaeography: Antiquity and the Middle Ages Review

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(More customer reviews)Bischoff is one of the greatest and ablest scholars for such a work. The volume's 289 pages gives a good overall picture of the Latin scripts in the period covered. Very good facsimiles of actual manuscripts accent the text. Though not acid free (apparently), the paper is very fine and the paperback seems sturdy. It has all of the necessary indexes, including MSS referred to, but no index of Latin terms within the text. Bischoff could have devoted more space to ligatures and tachyography at least the topic is not ignored. The representations of the various scripts are clear, and the volume is well referenced. It is most likely the best text on Latin palaeography for this period of Latin. The price is also right. Mr. Gary S. Dykes (Sept. 1999)

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First published in 1979, this work, by the greatest living authority on medieval palaeography, offers the most comprehensive and up-to-date account in any language of the history of Latin script.It contains a detailed account of the role of the book in cultural history from antiquity to the Renaissance and outlines the history of book illumination.By setting the development of Latin script in its cultural context, it provides an unrivalled introduction to the nature of medieval Latin culture.

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Understanding Illuminated Manuscripts: A Guide to Technical Terms (Looking At) Review

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(More customer reviews)This little volume provides brief definitions of all the important phrases and terms used in the study of illuminated manuscripts including forms, techniques, themes, and periods.
Great for understanding the differences between an historiated initial and an inhabited initial - or between an antiphonal and a gradual.
Most of the representative images are in color and are well chosen to illustrate the definitions. Perhaps their only drawback is their small size due to the size limitations of the book itself.
A great companion while reading to "Medieval Illuminators & their Methods of Work" by Jonathan J.G. ALexander or "A History of Illuminated Manuscripts" by Christopher De Hamel.

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The Shakespeare Stealer Review

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(More customer reviews)The Shakespeare Stealer is a book about a poor orphan boy, called Widge, living in Shakespearean England who can write a rare coded language in which symbols for each word can be written as the words are said. His forceful master, taking advantage of his ability, orders him to go to the Globe Theater to steal Shakespeare's Hamlet by writing down the lines of the play as the actors are acting them out. Though Widge, the poor, nameless orphan boy feels stealing the play is wrong, he enters the Globe Theater to copy down the play Hamlet. He is found by the players at the theater and they take him in and treat them as one of their own, while also being trained as an actor. While living with one of the men from the Lord Chamberlain's Men (the playing troupe) Widge, a country boy, adjusts to city life. However, Widge has not forgotten the threat his master made to him if he did not bring him a copy of Hamlet, and Widge knows that he has sent someone to London to find him and bring him back to the country. While living in London, Widge's accent is not the only thing that changes. For the first time in his life Widge can make decisions on his own. He learns about the meaning of words such as honesty, trust, loyalty, and friendship. He begins to realize that by working and living with the Lord Chamberlain's men, he is betraying them. The real reason he came to the theater was not to become a player, but to steal from Shakespeare himself, and consequently hurting the people who he is now closest to. Widge tries to decide whether he should betray his friends and copy the play or betray his master and stay in the Lord Chamberlain's Men for acting, not for the purpose of stealing a play, even though it means if his master finds him, Widge will receive severe punishment. Widge also learns that the playing troupe has become like family to him, something he has never experienced, but loves very much. Now he wonders: If his master finds him, will the only family he's ever known disappear from him forever?
I felt as though I could relate with the main character, Widge, for one main reason. All through his life, Widge tries to search for, or feel, a sense of belonging. I have moved between two continents and a dozen more houses during my life. I know how important it is to have a sense of belonging somewhere, because having a sense of belonging somewhere makes people unique and who they are. Widge learns that as long as everybody has people who love and care for them it doesn't matter where they live, they will always feel at home and as though thewy belong. That is why I think that Widge's "family" at the Globe Theater is so important and dear to him. I think The Shakespeare Stealer has a good message about family, and how no matter what it is lie, it is important to everybody's sense of belonging, is a good message.
I loved this book. It not only has action, such as duels and manhunts, it had a great perspective of Elizabethan life in the late fifteen hundreds from a teenager's point of view. My favorite part of the book is when Widge gets his first chance at acting on stage with the players. He was so nervous, he was sure he would forget everything, but once he was on stage he made a great performance. I think it proves that if anyone tries hard they can conquer just about anything. My least favorite part of the book was when an actor from The Lord Chamberlain's Men was forced to leave because she had disguised herself as a boy, because it was illegal for women to act. If I could change any part of the book, it would be that Julian, were allowed to stay on and act with the players, even though she was a girl. I think the fact that Julia was not allowed to stay on with the players, even if they wanted her to, shows the general sexism against women in England at the time, even though it was getting better because the sole ruler of England was a queen (Queen Elizabeth).
I would definitely recommend The Shakespeare Stealer to others because it has action, emotion, drama, and it is a great historical-fiction. It also shows a lot of aspects of Elizabethan England, but it is definitely not a bore. I think someone who likes excitement and historical fiction would greatly enjoy this book, and I highly recommend it.

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Introduction to Manuscript Studies Review

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(More customer reviews)Raymond Clemens and Timothy Graham provide a spectacular introduction to the fascinating subject of manuscript studies. This well-organized book lays out nicely the various aspects of this field, including all aspects of book production, scribal practice, and script styles, making it a useful read for any student of the medieval period. The clear prose also makes this book accessible to anyone interested in the medieval period and/or the history of book making.
Beyond the actually text, this book is beautiful. It includes a myriad of full color images, highlighting the manuscript features discussed in the text. Consequently, one might derive enjoyment simply by flipping through the book and looking at the pictures, and it might very well be as appropriate sitting on a coffee table as shelved in a scholarly library.
While remaining accessible to a reader of casual interest, this book does not avoid the depth sought by a serious scholar. The book is thoroughly researched, with copious footnotes to direct the curious reader to further reading on particular topics. Even more useful to this end is the copious and well-organized bibliography which covers the all aspects of this broad field.
In short, I would strongly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in manuscript studies: from the casual admirer to the serious scholar.

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The Historical Sourcebook for Scribes Review

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(More customer reviews)Like other authors before them, Brown and Lovett have attempted to create the ultimate general guide to historical writing. And, like other authors before them, they've met with modest success.
Modest, because like anyone else who tries to break the ductus of a given hand down for the use of modern calligraphers, the scripts in this book (about 16 hands, Medieval and Renaissance, are presented) suffer from the simplification that occurs when a calligrapher attempts to blend many, many historical examples into a generalized, modern hand. Now, on the whole, that's not bad. It all depends on your purposes, of course, but for most people, a generalized and simplified hand is just the ticket. If, like me, you would prefer to see a specific example of a specific hand broken faithfully into an exemplar, though, you'll be disappointed. Even the hands in this book that imply the use of a specific example in creating the exemplars suffer from modification.
However, there is a truly splendid feature in this book. Each hand presented contains a detailed breakdown of the angles and spacing of a specific historical example. This is a real boon.
The text is primarily concerned with the history of the presented scripts. If you are looking for a beginners manual, this book is probably not for you. While it doesn't require intermediate or advanced skills to use this book, it does concentrate on presenting historical detail rather than step by step instructions for selecting the best materials, et cetera. There is, of course, some basic, general instructional material, but, again, this is not the emphasis of this book.
I'd probably put this book about halfway between Drogin's Medieval Calligraphy and Harris' Practical Calligraphy. The Drogin is text heavy, and works as an introductory book on paleography as well as it works as an instructional manual on making historic scripts. Harris, on the other hand, works extremely well as a visual teaching tool, and probably does the best job of presenting the ductus because of the use of color, but it is light on text. Brown and Lovett do a nice job of walking down the middle.


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Fourteen historical manuscripts, supported by other manuscript examples, are used to explore fifteen selected writing styles. Dr Michelle P. Brown analyses the production of the manuscripts, setting them in their historical context and relating them to the people who produced them. Patricia Lovett uses the manuscripts to analyse the letter-forms in detail, and then gives clear guidance on how to write the letters. Each section includes a calligraphic interpretation of the historic letter-form.

This book is the first to put the needs of the historian and the scribe at the forefront. Large-scale examples of the manuscripts are included for letter analysis, with, in most instances, a full page colour reproduction of a page from the same manuscript alongside. Other selected manuscripts with clear letter-forms show the development of that alphabet style throughout the periods under consideration. A whole page is devoted to exemplar letters of each alphabet style, with clear guidelines on how the letters are formed, including punctuation marks, an ampersand (or et ligature) and numerals. Each section includes a specially created piece of modern calligraphy, showing how the hand can be used today

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Scribes and Illuminators (Medieval Craftsmen) Review

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(More customer reviews)Like all this series, this book is a real gem. Clearly written, interesting, informative, with a fine selection of pictures (most in colour), it's truly amazing how much it covers in a small book. Particularly useful are the contemporary illustrations of scribes and painters at work, showing such details as a scribe's sloping desk with holes to hold his quills and inkhorn (cover illustration). The whole construction of a medieval book is explained, from makig the parchment to the final cover. Examples of unfinished manuscripts, not shown in facimile books, provide fascinating insight into the whole production process. The inclusion of charming pictures such as the self-portrait of a scribe and his apprentice, cursing a mouse running off with the the cheese from their lunch table, brings the lives of these workers into immediate and human detail.
If you are only going to get one book about medieval scribes and illuminators, this is the one to buy.

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Illuminated manuscripts survive in great numbers from the Middle Ages.They are often beautifully preserved, enabling us to appreciate the skilled design and craftsmanship of the people who created them.

Christopher de Hamel describes each stage of production from the preparation of the vellum, pens, paints and inks to the writing of the scripts and the final decoration and illumination of the book. He then examines the role of the stationer or bookshop in co-ordinating book production and describes the supply of exemplars and the accuracy of texts.He follows the careers of a number of specific scribes and illuminators who emerge not as anonymous monks but as identifiable professional lay artisans.He also looks at those who bought the completed books, why they did so, and how much they paid.

His survey ranges from the eleventh century through the golden age of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries to the luxurious manuscripts existing at the invention of printing.

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