A Short History of the Medieval Illuminated Manuscripts

Summary

This video from World History Encyclopedia, hosted by Kelly, delves into the world of medieval illuminated manuscripts—hand-written, lavishly decorated books that utilized gold and silver to 'illuminate' their pages. Created between 500 and 1600 CE, these manuscripts were primarily religious but also included works by classical authors like Virgil. Produced initially by monks, their creation became commercialized with growing demand. Despite the advent of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century, which eventually led to their decline, illuminated manuscripts left a lasting impact on the shape and design of modern books. The video highlights 'The Book of Kells' as a pinnacle of this art form, showcasing its intricate illustrations and the historical context of its creation.

Takeaways

• 📜 The shape of modern books is influenced by medieval illuminated manuscripts.
• 🖋️ Illuminated manuscripts were handwritten books decorated with gold or silver, reflecting light.
• 📅 Production of these manuscripts declined after the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century.
• ✝️ Initially, illuminated manuscripts were primarily on Christian scripture, but also included works by ancient writers like Virgil.
• 💰 These manuscripts were expensive and only affordable to the wealthy, reflecting their status.
• 👨‍🎓 Monks were the initial creators of illuminated manuscripts, and the scriptorium was their workspace.
• 📝 The material of choice for these manuscripts was parchment, with vellum being a high-quality variant.
• 📚 'The Book of Hours' was the most popular type of illuminated manuscript, serving as a Christian devotional.
• 🖌️ The process of creating an illuminated manuscript involved multiple steps including writing, proofreading, and illumination.
• 📚 The 'Book of Kells' is a renowned example of an illuminated manuscript, celebrated for its intricate illustrations and detail.

Q & A

What are illuminated manuscripts?

Illuminated manuscripts are hand-written books that are highly decorated with precious materials like gold or silver, created between circa 500 and 1600 CE.

Why are they called 'illuminated'?

They are called 'illuminated' because the use of metallic materials like gold and silver reflects light, giving the books a glowing or illuminated appearance.

How did the invention of the printing press impact illuminated manuscripts?

The invention of the European printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in circa 1440 CE led to a decline in the production of illuminated manuscripts, as printed books became more popular and affordable.

What was the most popular type of book among illuminated manuscripts?

The 'Book of Hours', a Christian devotional of prayers, was the most popular type of book during the time of illuminated manuscripts.

What materials were used for writing in illuminated manuscripts before the acceptance of paper?

Before the use of paper, which was not widely accepted in Europe until the 11th century, animal hides were used to create parchment, with calf skin specifically known as 'vellum'.

Why did medieval monks initially create illuminated manuscripts?

Initially, illuminated manuscripts were created by monks in abbeys, often focusing on Christian scripture, and later as demand increased, the production became commercialized.

What was the role of the scriptorium in the creation of illuminated manuscripts?

The scriptorium was the room in monasteries where monks, known as scriptores, worked on every step of manuscript creation, from processing vellum to copying text and adding illustrations and illumination.

How did the shape of modern books relate to medieval European manuscripts?

The modern shape of books, being longer than they are wide, began with medieval European monks who cut their vellum pages to that shape, which influenced the design of later printed books.

What is the 'Book of Kells' and why is it significant?

The 'Book of Kells' is a famous illuminated manuscript from circa 800, produced by monks in Scotland or Ireland, and is significant for its grandeur, intricacy, and high-quality illustrations of the four gospels of the Christian New Testament.

How did the rise of literacy and professional bookmakers in the 13th century affect the production of books?

The rise of literacy and professional bookmakers in the 13th century led to an increased demand for books, introducing vernacular literature and the involvement of women as scribes, which in turn expanded the production of books beyond monasteries.

What was the final outcome for illuminated manuscripts after the invention of the printing press?

Although illuminated manuscripts continued to be produced for the wealthy through the early 1600s, the skill of illuminating was eventually lost as printed books became the norm, and their production ceased.