Books and Their Makers During the Middle Ages: A Study of the Conditions of the Production and Distribution of Literature from the Fall of the Roman Empire to the Close of the Seventeenth Century, Vol. I

A historical account written in the late 19th century. This comprehensive study explores the intricate historical and social factors that influenced the production and dissemination of literature throughout the Middle Ages. It delves into the roles of various entities, including monasteries and early universities, in preserving and promoting literary works from antiquity to the modern era. The opening of the work sets the stage for an in-depth examination of book production during the medieval period, starting with the impact of the fall of the Roman Empire. It discusses the chaotic transition from imperial governance to the fracturing of intellectual and literary continuity, focusing particularly on the contributions of monastic scribes in preserving classical texts. The text emphasizes how figures like Cassiodorus and S. Benedict shaped literary preservation, illustrating the establishment of scriptoria to produce and distribute literature. Through its explorative narratives, the beginning notes the eventual rise of organized book production that would pave the way for the advent of the printing press, thereby transforming the landscape of literature forever.