Early Libraries
Did you know that the first Public Library in Britain was the London Guildhall, established in 1425?
Or that by 1212 French Monastries which refused to lend out books (for a deposit of course) were condemned by the Council of Paris?
There were public libraries in Italy long before this, apparently.
The history of libraries goes back far further than I thought.
I'd love to know more about the books they lent out then, and the people who borrowed them. I know that monks had extensive libraries before that time, but they were mostly for the tuition of the monks. Also wealthy private citizens, and the ruling classes often had large libraries. A fascinating thought. I think I may do some research on books which were popular at the time. I know one of the popular romances was Tristan and Isolde.
Here is a list of books you might have wanted in your medieval library - if, of course, you were wealthy enough and literate!
Beowulf
Chanson de Geste
Tristan and Isolde
Le Morte d'Arthur
Valentine and Orson
The Girl Without Hands
Appolonius of Tyre
Matter of Rome
Alexander Romance
Chretien de Troyes
Lancelot, The Knight of the Cart (really)
Erec and Enide
Sir Degrevant
Torrent of Portyngale
Sir Eglamour of Artois
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
And last, but my no means least, you would want to have some of Chaucer's work. Which would choose? The House of Fame? Parliament of Fowls? Troilus and Criseyde? Or would you have plumped for that best known of his work - The Canterbury Tales?
There are lots more which would have been on your "To Read" shelf. Do tell me which medieval books you would have wanted to read had you been alive then?
In the meantime here's some medieval poetry for you. The first one on the list is "In Praise of Women"
http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/...
Or that by 1212 French Monastries which refused to lend out books (for a deposit of course) were condemned by the Council of Paris?
There were public libraries in Italy long before this, apparently.
The history of libraries goes back far further than I thought.
I'd love to know more about the books they lent out then, and the people who borrowed them. I know that monks had extensive libraries before that time, but they were mostly for the tuition of the monks. Also wealthy private citizens, and the ruling classes often had large libraries. A fascinating thought. I think I may do some research on books which were popular at the time. I know one of the popular romances was Tristan and Isolde.
Here is a list of books you might have wanted in your medieval library - if, of course, you were wealthy enough and literate!
Beowulf
Chanson de Geste
Tristan and Isolde
Le Morte d'Arthur
Valentine and Orson
The Girl Without Hands
Appolonius of Tyre
Matter of Rome
Alexander Romance
Chretien de Troyes
Lancelot, The Knight of the Cart (really)
Erec and Enide
Sir Degrevant
Torrent of Portyngale
Sir Eglamour of Artois
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
And last, but my no means least, you would want to have some of Chaucer's work. Which would choose? The House of Fame? Parliament of Fowls? Troilus and Criseyde? Or would you have plumped for that best known of his work - The Canterbury Tales?
There are lots more which would have been on your "To Read" shelf. Do tell me which medieval books you would have wanted to read had you been alive then?
In the meantime here's some medieval poetry for you. The first one on the list is "In Praise of Women"
http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/...
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Loretta
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Jun 14, 2013 11:13AM
Just as a ps, I will be adding some of these - in a more updated format - to my To Read shelf. I'm so intrigued to know what medieval people read, that I will be doing some more research. But I will be reading updated versions, I don't think I'm scholastic enough to read them in the original languages, or even Old English.
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Libraries... the Islamic world (Arab and Persian) had its fare share in early medieval times, covering a diverse number of topics; theology apart, medicine, mathematics, science and philosophy. It could be argued that many works of Plato and Aristotle were rescued from the oblivion of the 'dark ages' because of their study by Ibn Sina et al. then of course the great library of Alexandria. The new modern library is not at all bad either, my main love the manuscript collection.
Harvey wrote: "Libraries... the Islamic world (Arab and Persian) had its fare share in early medieval times, covering a diverse number of topics; theology apart, medicine, mathematics, science and philosophy. It ..."I haven't read much in the way of medieval writings, although I have read The Anglo Saxon Chronicles (which was a little earlier, but quite fascinating, and I guess would have been on the shelves in medieval times) and one or two others. I think it's time I rectified that. I do think it would have been interesting to have had a rummage around the medieval libraries. Assuming I had been literate and wealthy enough to trust with the precious manuscripts and volumes. I think you are much more knowledgeable than I about medieval literature, Harvey. It has been interesting to read your comments and choices here and in the medieval group. Nice to meet you.
Well, thank you for the very kind comments. I work for an important Islamic Art collection in Kuwait and over twelve cultural seasons I guess i have attended something like 98% of the lectures we have had from a very impressive number of scholars. Something has stuck then! :)I have always been passionate about history generally and books in particular - I guess its in my genes - my late father came to England in 1946 as a refugee from Latvia, carrying a fair bit of Latvian poetry and books he picked up in war-torn Germany, so books and libraries have always been part of my life somehow, not to mention carrying books from country to country!
My wife is from Egypt and has had a property in Alex since before we were married so though on a different continent I have access to at least one great library within the meaning of the act.
Assuming I had been literate and wealthy enough to trust with the precious manuscripts and volumes...
I think the key was more to do with literacy than wealth, Erasmus seems to have had a fair time in the literary and scholastic scene...
Nice to meet you too!
