The Cambridge History of the Book in Britain
This volume of The Cambridge History of the Book in Britain presents an overview of the century-and-a-half between the death of Chaucer in 1400 and the incorporation of the Stationers' Company in 1557. The profound changes during that time in social, political and religious conditions are reflected in the dissemination and reception of the written word. The manuscript culture of Chaucer's day was replaced by an ambience in which printed books would become the norm. The emphasis in this collection of essays is on the demand and use of books. Patterns of ownership are identified as well as patterns of where, why and how books were written, printed, bound, acquired, read and passed from hand to hand. The book trade receives special attention, with emphasis on the large part played by imports and on links with printers in other countries, which were decisive for the development of printing and publishing in Britain.
- Authoritative overview of the history of the book through 150 years of great change including the invention of the printing press
- Shows where, why and how books were written, printed, bound, read and passed from hand to hand
- Of interest to scholars of history, printing, publishing, literature, religion, music, art
Reviews & endorsements
'This volume and its successors should have a place in any library concerned with British history, for it convincingly demonstrates the contribution of books at a critical time.' Peter Hoare, Library Association
'… undoubtedly the definitive book on the subject.' Journal of Documentation
Product details
March 2014Paperback
9781107698758
830 pages
228 × 152 × 43 mm
1.18kg
71 b/w illus.
Available
Table of Contents
- Introduction L. Hellinga and J. B. Trapp
- 1. Literacy, books and readers J. B. Trapp
- 2. Foreign illuminators and illuminated manuscripts J. J. G. Alexander
- 3. Printing L. Hellinga
- 4. Bookbinding, 1400–1557 M. M. Foot
- 5. The rise of London's book trade C. Paul Christianson
- 6. The customs rolls as documents for the printed-book trade in England Paul Needham
- 7. The book trade under Edward VI and Mary I John N. King
- 8. Importation of printed books Margaret Lane Ford
- 9. Private ownership of printed books Margaret Lane Ford
- 10. Monastic libraries, 1400–1557 David N. Bell
- 11. The royal collections to 1461 Jenny Stratford
- 12. The Royal Library from Edward IV to Henry VII Janet Backhouse
- 13. The Royal Library under Henry VIII James P. Carley
- 14. The humanist book J. B. Trapp
- 15. University libraries and booksellers Elisabeth Leedham-Green
- 16. Text-books in the universities Kristian Jensen
- 17. Text-books: a case study: logic E. J. Ashworth
- 18. The canon law R. H. Helmholz
- 19. The civil law A. Wijffels
- 20. The books of the common law J. H. Baker
- 21. Medicine and science Peter M. Jones
- 22. Schools and schoolbooks Nicholas Orme
- 23. Practical books for the gentleman George R. Keiser
- 24. Devotional literature Mary C. Erler
- 25. Gentlewomen's reading Carol M. Meale and Julia Boffey
- 26. Music John Milsom
- 27. Literary texts Julia Boffey and A. S. G. Edwards
- 28. Press, politics and religion Pamela Neville-Sington
- Appendix
- Bibliography
- Indexes.