The Carolingians and the Written Word - Hardcover
This pioneering book studies the function and status of the written word in Carolingian society in France and Germany in the eighth and ninth centuries. It demonstrates that literacy was by no means confined to a clerical élite, but was dispersed in lay society and used for government and administration, as well as for ordinary legal transactions among the peoples of the Frankish kingdom. While employing a huge range of primary material, the author does not confine herself to a functional analysis of the written word in Carolingian northern Europe but goes on to assess the consequences and implications of literacy for the Franks themselves and for the subsequent development of European society after 1000.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Book Description:
Functional analysis of the written word in eight and ninth century Carolingian European society demonstrates that literacy was not confined to a clerical elite, but dispersed in lay society and used administratively as well.
Review:
"Scholars will find this book an essential reference book for questions of medieval European literacy. It is invaluable in its wealth of information about manuscripts, scribes, monastic patrons, Carolingian nobility, and lay owners of books." Marsha L. Dutton, Hanover College, in The Library Quarterly
"McKitterick has written an important book which more than repays careful study. She has opened areas for examination which will be expanded, and those topics which she has neglected -- inscriptions are a good example, which she notes -- will be developed. Her fine manuscript index is very helpful.... McKitterick's work makes a contribution to current historical debate far in excess of its intended compass." Bernard S. Bachrach, Journal of Interdisciplinary History
"McKitterick has written an important book which more than repays careful study. She has opened areas for examination which will be expanded, and those topics which she has neglected -- inscriptions are a good example, which she notes -- will be developed. Her fine manuscript index is very helpful.... McKitterick's work makes a contribution to current historical debate far in excess of its intended compass." Bernard S. Bachrach, Journal of Interdisciplinary History
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherCambridge University Press
- Publication date1989
- ISBN 10 052130539X
- ISBN 13 9780521305396
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages308
- Rating
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
The Carolingians and the Written Word
Published by
Cambridge University Press
(1989)
ISBN 10: 052130539X
ISBN 13: 9780521305396
Used
Hardcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 18235926-6
Buy Used
US$ 65.93
Convert currency
Stock Image
The Carolingians and the Written Word
Published by
Cambridge University Press
(1989)
ISBN 10: 052130539X
ISBN 13: 9780521305396
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Good. 1st Edition. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. xvi + 290pp. G/HC. Unmarked and firm. Seller Inventory # 016992
Buy Used
US$ 100.00
Convert currency
Seller Image
The Carolingians and the Written Word.
Published by
Cambridge University Press
(1989)
ISBN 10: 052130539X
ISBN 13: 9780521305396
Used
Hardcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Hardcover with dust jacket. Condition: Gut. 308 p.: Maps, Tables. Lediglich der Schutzumschlag ist minimal berieben und die Seiten sind papierbedingt gebräunt. Sonst aber ein sehr gutes und sauberes Exemplar/ Only the dust jacket is minimally rubbed and the pages are paper browned. Otherwise a very good and clean copy. - This pioneering book studies the function and status of the written word in Carolingian society in France and Germany in the eighth and ninth centuries. It demonstrates that literacy was by no means confined to a clerical elite, but was dispersed in lay society and used for government and administration, and for ordinary legal transactions among the peoples of the Frankish kingdom. While exploiting a huge range of primary material, Dr McKitterick does not confine herself to a functional analysis of the written word in Carolingian northern Europe but goes on to assess the consequences and implications of literacy for the Franks themselves and for the subsequent development of European society after 1000. Key topics discussed include law and the use of the written word, the conduct and record of legal transactions, the economic and social status of the book in Carolingian society, the methods evolved to organize and define written knowledge, and the whole question of lay literacy. ROSAMOND MCKITTERICK is Lecturer in History, University of Cambridge, and Fellow of Newnham College. Her previous publications include The Frankish Church and the Carolingian Reforms 789 895 (1977) and The Frankish Kingdoms under the Carolingians 751 -987 (1983). Her edited collection of essays on The Uses of Literacy in Early Mediaeval Europe will be published by Cambridge University Press in 1990. CONTENT: THE SPOKEN AND THE WRITTEN WORD i Introduction ii The question of language LAW AND THE WRITTEN WORD i The use of writing in Carolingian government ii The leges iii The production and transmission of written law: the case of Lex Salica iv The use of writing in the legal process: the evidence of the laws A LITERATE COMMUNITY: THE EVIDENCE OF THE CHARTERS I The importance of charter evidence ii The charters of St Gall iii The survival of written culture in Alemannia and Rhaetia iv The foundation of St Gall v The script of the St Gall region vi Charter production and the process of redaction Charter structure The process of redaction vii The context of legal transactions The witness lists Centres of charter production VII The status and office of scribes The cancellarii The problem of Gerichtsschreiber The handwriting of the St Gall charters The significance of the distribution of scribes ix Charter production elsewhere in the Frankish kingdoms and its implications THE PRODUCTION AND POSSESSION OF BOOKS: AN ECONOMIC DIMENSION i Values and prices for books ii The cost of production Membranes Pigments Binding iii Books as wealth iv Gift giving and exchange v The possession of books THE ORGANIZATION OF WRITTEN KNOWLEDGE i The establishment of monastic libraries ii The development of Frankish libraries: evidence of the earliest catalogues The libraries of Fulda, Wiirzburg, Charlemagne and St Wandrille West Frankish libraries: the problems of the evidence and the example of St Riquier iii The systematization of library catalogues: the east Frankish examples Reichenau St Gall Lorsch Structure of the Lorsch catalogues and its influence Cologne The acquisition of books: the example of Murbach Smaller inventories of books iv The origins of library catalogues and their arrangement Principles of organization The question of insular influence The role of the De viris illustribus, the De libris recipiendis and other early mediaeval bibliographical guides Carolingian bibliographical handbooks 6 THE LITERACY OF THE LAITY i The education of the laity Continuity from the Merovingian into the Carolingian period Merovingian and Carolingian education: the evidence of the saints lives The role of women in Carolingian education n Lay culture and the question of audience The audience for Carolingian Latin poetry The audience for written German poetry The audience for history Lay ownership of history books and historical miscellanies The audience for hagiography Lay use of practical texts iii Lay patronage and the ownership of books Introduction Lay libraries: the examples of Eberhard of Friuli and Eccard of Macon Courtiers libraries Manuscripts with lay associations Lay borrowers from ecclesiastical libraries iv Lay piety and the uses of literacy. ISBN 9780521305396 Sprache: Englisch Gewicht in Gramm: 521. Seller Inventory # 1221493
Buy Used
US$ 77.13
Convert currency