English fifteenth century book structures

In discussing fifteenth century book structures the thesis describes those \ncollections from which it's survey (of over three hundred bindings) was \ndrawn. It explores the physical archaeology of the book, and considers the \ncontext of book production in the late medieval period. The technical \nskills of the bookbinder are considered in detail, as are the tools, materials \nand technologies used. \nThe demise of the wooden boarded medieval book is compared with the \ngreat age of Romanesque bookbinding. In focusing on the collections held \nby Cambridge libraries, it was inevitable that there should be a strong \nconcentration on the work of bookbinders from that city, but those from \nOxford and London are well represented. The work of a number of \nprovincial binders is also given attention. \nMany of the books studied were undergoing conservation work whilst \nbeing surveyed, and this has provided much information which would \notherwise have never been revealed. In particular it was possible to make \na detailed study of sewing techniques, and of the changing materials used \nin the making of sewings. \nUtilising a microcomputer with a powerful spreadsheet programme, the \nsurvey of three hundred books explores all aspects of English fifteenth \ncentury binding in wooden boards. Each book was catalogued in terms of \nnearly three hundred questions in computerised format, and the results \nwere turned into graphs for percentage interpretation. In addition every \nbook was recorded on a detailed survey form, supported by photographs, \ndrawings and diagrams to provide as full a set of details as possible. The \nresults were scrutinised to consider the impact of the growing use of paper \nand of the invention of printing with movable type. \nThe cultural, social and economic demands of the medieval age are \nbrought together as aspects which influenced the development of the book \nstructure. The way in which books were made and used is considered in \ndepth. The impact of mainstream historical developments in politics, \nreligion and education are also factors which played a vital role in the \nhistory of the book during this period. The codex (in original condition) is \na "time capsule", to quote Christopher Clarkson, and this research seeks to \nexplore book production in one of the most vital centuries of its history.