Parchment and Paper: Manuscript Culture 1100-1500

• Manuscript Culture from the time of 1100 to 1500 heavily evolved from a privilege that was just restricted to clergy members and scholars to eventually everyone. Also, the topics of these manuscripts were often limited to that of the religious realm but new developments in form and production expanded writing genres.  The success of the format of the codex opened up more opportunities for more people to read and write. Those who were literate in the aristocracy also had the ability to write and create their own books. These people now have books in their houses, containing not only the Bible, but encyclopedias, romances and histories. Reading primers also became popular with children to aid them in learning how to read. These small booklets con tainted multiple prayers for children to memorize. Overall the book market that was focuses on creating books to read entirely for pleasure grew drastically. 

• The production of books also brought upon much criticism for its seemingly modern production methods in regards to printing. Johannes Trithemius published his reaction to the new printing success as a negative. He did not believe that something manufactured using a printing press would last in comparison composing on parchment. He stated that the quality of the paper used in books would last only for about two hundred years whereas the strong calf skin that is used for writing on parchment can last thousands. 

• The chosen language of manuscripts became a debate topic among scholars. Dante argued that anything write in Italian originally could also be easily translated with Latin. He stated that the vernacular of manuscripts had to posses a certain format if they were thought to be equal to those manuscripts that were translated in Latin.  Illustrations next to printed text became popular as a result of this fact. The illustrations made studying the content easier for the everyday person instead of just referring to the text. 

Comment: I enjoyed this reading because it was interesting to see the connections between the developments of writings during this time period and how they have withheld up until now. Things like prayer books that were cultivated at this period and now are still very much present and used for the same reason with essentially the same format is fascinating to me. 

Question: It was interesting to learn about the primers being used in school and their popularity within manuscript culture. Originally the primers contained prayers and Creeds for children to memorize, implying the importance of Christianity within the school system. I wonder how this evolved to now in modern day where people do not want to say the Pledge of Allegiance because it states "God" in it. I wonder where the line was crossed and when the decision was made to take these primers our of schools and how textbooks today don't contain prayers unless the child in enrolled in a faith-based school?