Precious Medieval Manuscripts

Posted by Rachel Bellerby Jul 7, 2008

In medieval times, if more than one person wanted a document, it had to be copied by hand onto parchment. Mistakes could easily be made in transferring the information from one document to another and that mistake could then continue to be copied for years.

Only the privileged had their own books; a prayer book or book of stories was one of the most precious and expensive gifts a person could receive. Looking at an original highly illustrated medieval manuscript, with elaborate drawings, touched with gold or silver leaf is to realise just how special these documents were. Their beauty is something which the most advanced printing press could never replicate.

Few would argue the benefits of the invention of the printing press and the subsequent wide access to works of literature. The medieval manuscript, with its smooth parchment and chunky wax seal has a unique charm and speaks of an age when owning a manuscript was akin to buying a precious jewel.