Dimensions and forms | Exploring the Medieval Manuscript Book

The video series ‘Exploring the Medieval Manuscript Book’ features book historian Irene O’Daly (Leiden University), introducing a wider audience to unique artefacts that were created with pen and ink in a distant past. In this eighth and last episode, she discusses the dimensions and forms of manuscripts.
Form follows function; in other words: the outer appearance of a book can inform us about the way it was used. The dimensions of a gradual (BPL 3683) are huge because it was used by choir singers during liturgical services in the church when it was placed on a lectern. A tiny processional (BPL 3744) was held in one hand by a monk while walking and singing in a procession.

The shape of the calendar (VUL 100 C) is peculiar. This type of book, sometimes called a ‘bat book’ because its leaves unfold like those of a bat, was designed to be portable. The tab joining the leaves together could have been attached to clothing or a belt.

The ‘book block’ of SCA 38 B is a mixture of the scroll form and codex form called a leporello. The small leaves are folded and then glued together to create a long, accordion-shaped strip. It can be unfolded and read on one side, then re-folded, turned over and read on the other side.