Again, my question is pointed toward the third quarter of the 15th century, in England, to be specific.
I read a contemporary account in which the writer estimated that half the population was literate. The acompaning text suggested that the author was probably limiting his remarks to London, but at the very least, this indicates a great increase in literacy over previous years.
So, if one is literate, one must read something. I can think of a few Religious works, and Chaucer of course. Was Caesar avalable at this time? And if so, had it been translated out of Latin yet?
Was the idea of reading for entertainment period? And additionaly, was it common yet to read silently?
And finaly, I know books were quite expensive at this time, and out of the reach of the vast majority of the populace. Where were the libraries? Were they still in the monastaries, or had the idea of a public (or quasi-public) library begun to develope yet?
Thanks!
So what did they READ in the 15th Century?
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Destichado
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Hi Destichado,
When & where is always the question. Since you specify London, third quarter of the 15th century, I think I can give a decent answer.
Firstly, books at this point were not as expensive as previously, due to paper being used commonly from the 14th century forward. This reduced the cost of books remarkably, even before printing became commonplace. Printing is commonplace in the Low countries and France during the very era you question. During the same time, short books printed from wwodblocks were popular ar well. Illuminated manuscripts were of course expensive, but these cheaper books saw wide circulation.Books of Hours were most common, followed by Romances (as in arthurian and the like) Histories as you mention were just coming into circulation in the venacular. Also common were miscelanies, beastiaries, and the like. Oh yes, travelogs were popular as well. Also Popular authers of fablieux, as Chaucer and Boccacio.
Hope this helps.
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Bob R.
When & where is always the question. Since you specify London, third quarter of the 15th century, I think I can give a decent answer.
Firstly, books at this point were not as expensive as previously, due to paper being used commonly from the 14th century forward. This reduced the cost of books remarkably, even before printing became commonplace. Printing is commonplace in the Low countries and France during the very era you question. During the same time, short books printed from wwodblocks were popular ar well. Illuminated manuscripts were of course expensive, but these cheaper books saw wide circulation.Books of Hours were most common, followed by Romances (as in arthurian and the like) Histories as you mention were just coming into circulation in the venacular. Also common were miscelanies, beastiaries, and the like. Oh yes, travelogs were popular as well. Also Popular authers of fablieux, as Chaucer and Boccacio.
Hope this helps.
------------------
Bob R.
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Destichado
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR><font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Destichado:
<B>Again, my question is pointed toward the third quarter of the 15th century, in England, to be specific.
I read a contemporary account in which the writer estimated that half the population was literate. The acompaning text suggested that the author was probably limiting his remarks to London, but at the very least, this indicates a great increase in literacy over previous years.
So, if one is literate, one must read something. I can think of a few Religious works, and Chaucer of course. Was Caesar avalable at this time? And if so, had it been translated out of Latin yet?
Was the idea of reading for entertainment period? And additionaly, was it common yet to read silently?
And finaly, I know books were quite expensive at this time, and out of the reach of the vast majority of the populace. Where were the libraries? Were they still in the monastaries, or had the idea of a public (or quasi-public) library begun to develope yet?
Thanks!</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
From episode 756 from one of my favorite sites.
"We date book-printing with Gutenberg's Bible in 1456. One day we wrote books with pens. The next we went to the book store. And that's only a small exaggeration. By 1500 we'd printed almost 15,000,000 new books. That spelled huge change by any reckoning."
Point is that there was ALOT of books being printed as fast as possible and having books to read was a status symbol.
You could look up what printing houses and what books were in print by them from any one of them probably from any rare book site. Book collectors like any other obsessed individual is willing to talk your ear off if you'd let them so long as your interested in their interests. I'm tired so that may not have made much sense.
<B>Again, my question is pointed toward the third quarter of the 15th century, in England, to be specific.
I read a contemporary account in which the writer estimated that half the population was literate. The acompaning text suggested that the author was probably limiting his remarks to London, but at the very least, this indicates a great increase in literacy over previous years.
So, if one is literate, one must read something. I can think of a few Religious works, and Chaucer of course. Was Caesar avalable at this time? And if so, had it been translated out of Latin yet?
Was the idea of reading for entertainment period? And additionaly, was it common yet to read silently?
And finaly, I know books were quite expensive at this time, and out of the reach of the vast majority of the populace. Where were the libraries? Were they still in the monastaries, or had the idea of a public (or quasi-public) library begun to develope yet?
Thanks!</B></font><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
From episode 756 from one of my favorite sites.
"We date book-printing with Gutenberg's Bible in 1456. One day we wrote books with pens. The next we went to the book store. And that's only a small exaggeration. By 1500 we'd printed almost 15,000,000 new books. That spelled huge change by any reckoning."
Point is that there was ALOT of books being printed as fast as possible and having books to read was a status symbol.
You could look up what printing houses and what books were in print by them from any one of them probably from any rare book site. Book collectors like any other obsessed individual is willing to talk your ear off if you'd let them so long as your interested in their interests. I'm tired so that may not have made much sense.