Medieval manuscript culture

Medieval manuscript culture refers to the practices surrounding the creation, production, and use of hand-copied books during the Middle Ages, from around the 5th to the 15th centuries. Monasteries were central to this culture, where monks meticulously copied religious texts, classical works, and literature, often adding intricate decorations. Manuscripts were valuable and labor-intensive, making books scarce. This culture greatly influenced literacy, education, and the preservation of knowledge. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century gradually transformed this practice, leading to broader access to written works and the eventual decline of manuscript copying as a primary method of book production.