Manuscript production in the 14th century

In the 14th century, manuscript production involved hand-copying texts, usually by scribes in monastic settings or scriptoria. Scribes used parchment or vellum and quills, meticulously handwriting books and often embellishing them with illustrations or ornate initials. This labor-intensive process meant that books were rare and valuable, primarily accessible to monasteries, universities, and wealthy patrons. The introduction of the printing press in the late 15th century would eventually revolutionize this practice, making written works more widely available and affordable.