Nigel J. Morgan is Honorary Professor of the History of Art at the University of Cambridge and Emeritus Professor at the University of Oslo. Rodney M. Thomson is Professor of Medieval History at the University of Tasmania.

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• Preface; Part I. The Roles of Books: 1. Books and society Christopher de Hamel; 2. Language and literacy Rodney M. Thomson and Nigel J. Morgan; Part II. Book Production: 3. The format of books: books, booklets and rolls Pamela Robinson; 4. Layout and presentation of the text M. B. Parkes; 5. Technology of production of the manuscript book: I. Parchment and ruling Rodney M. Thomson; II. Illumination Nigel J. Morgan; III. Binding Michael Gullick and Nicholas Hadcraft; 6. Handwriting in English books c.1100–1425 M. B. Parkes; 7. Monastic and Cathedral book production Rodney M. Thomson; 8. Urban production of manuscript books and the role of the university towns M. A. Michael; Part III. Readership, Libraries, Texts and Contexts: 9. Library catalogues and indexes Richard Sharpe; 10. University and monastic texts: I. Biblical exegesis, theology,and philosophy Jeremy Catto; II. Latin poetry, satires, fables and grammar Jan Ziolkowski; III. Encyclopaedias Michael Twomey; 11. Law Nigel Ramsay; 12. Books for the liturgy and private prayer Nigel J. Morgan; 13. Compilations for preaching and Lollard literature: I. Compilations for preaching Alan Fletcher; II. Lollard literature Anne Hudson; 14. Spiritual writings and religious instruction Alexandra Barratt; 15. Vernacular literature and its readership: I. Anglo-Norman Tony Hunt; II. Middle English Julia Boffey and A. S. G. Edwards; III. Welsh Daniel Huws; 16. History and history books Geoffrey Martin and Rodney M. Thomson; 17. Archive books Nigel Ramsay; 18. Scientific and medical writings Charles Burnett and Peter Jones; 19. Music Nicolas Bell; 20. Illustration and decoration Martin Kauffman; Bibliography; General index; Index of manuscripts; Plates.