Auckland Council Libraries: Medieval manuscripts

Medieval manuscripts

These books describe how Medieval manuscripts were made, as well as give some historical background to the period (500 - 1500 CE). Learn more by listening to our Meet a Rare Book podcast series.

Making medieval manuscripts

Christopher De Hamel

Book

International medieval manuscripts expert, Christopher de Hamel, writes a very approachable and entertaining guide that describes how medieval manuscripts were made by the parchment makers, scribes and illuminators.

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Medieval and renaissance manuscripts in New Zealand collections

Margaret M. Manion

Book

Despite being published in 1989, this is still the definitive and only catalogue of medieval manuscripts held in New Zealand collections, and contains scholarly descriptions of each manuscript, with a selection of coloured plates.

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The medieval imagination

Book

In 2008 the State Library of Victoria hosted an exhibition of medieval manuscripts of international standing, borrowing from across Australia and NZ (including the Missal from Auckland). This catalogue provides short essays on the manuscripts.

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Beginning illumination

Claire Travers

Book

After a short history of the art of medieval manuscripts, Claire Travers introduces the practical techniques of how to make your own illuminated text, in the medieval manner.

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Codices illustres

Ingo F. Walther

Book

High-quality reproductions of luxurious manuscripts make this book a visual feast.

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Illuminating women in the medieval world

Christine Sciacca

Book

Based on an exhibition at the John Paul Getty Museum, this accessible introduction to the varied lives of medieval women features images from over one hundred manuscripts.

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Meetings with remarkable manuscripts

Christopher De Hamel

Book

Christopher de Hamel takes us on a journey to some of the most famous libraries in the world, as he investigates some of their most famous manuscripts. This is a vicarious travel narrative by a most knowledgeable and entertaining guide.

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Medieval & Renaissance interiors

Eva Oledzka

Book

Late medieval manuscripts began to widen their topics for illumination, including domestic scenes indoors, which provides new insight into medieval homes, their furniture, heating and the display of personal possessions.

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The medieval flower book

Celia Fisher

Book

The Medieval Flower book is a beautifully illustrated alphabetical collection of over one hundred major flowers that appear in medieval manuscripts, with explanatory texts on their history, significance and usage.

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Image on the edge

Michael Camille

Book

The margins of illuminated manuscripts are often filled with fascinating pictures. Michael Camille looks at the subversive and surprising examples of the art which flourished in the margins of the manuscripts and often in the margins of society too.

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Chaucer's people

Liza Picard

Book

Historian Liza Picard uses Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales as a window into the lives of people from the late medieval period.

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Medieval Europe

Chris Wickham

Book

This new history of medieval Europe from the disintegration of the Roman Empire to the Reformation is a wide-sweeping overview of the changes and developments across 1000 years.

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Medieval people

Michael Prestwich

Book

This richly illustrated account tells the life stories of seventy people from the Middle Ages, with entertaining accounts of popes, kings, queens, soldiers, merchants, scholars, authors and mystics.

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Auckland Council Libraries:Book list Recommended reading lists about different topics and genres to help you find new books to read.