MURAL - Maynooth University Research Archive Library



    Tradition and Innovation in the Materiality of Medieval Gaelic Law Manuscripts


    Kobel, Chantal (2025) Tradition and Innovation in the Materiality of Medieval Gaelic Law Manuscripts. Care and Conservation of Manuscripts, 19. pp. 283-302. ISSN 1602-1339

    [thumbnail of CC19-offprint-kobel.pdf]
    Preview
    Text
    CC19-offprint-kobel.pdf
    Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike.

    Download (648kB) | Preview

    Abstract

    This article is concerned with paper in the medieval Gaelic law manuscript tradition during the initial phases of the paper tradition in Ireland.1 Paper was introduced into the Gaelic manuscript tradition in the late fifteenth century, but it took several centuries before it replaced vellum entirely as the preferred writing medium.2 Recent studies have highlighted the gradual change to paper from vellum in manuscripts compiled in Irish schools of learning, particularly those of medicine and history.3 The extent to which paper usage prevailed in the professional law schools during this initial phase has not yet been fully explored, however. This article provides a general survey and discussion of paper use in the vernacular Irish law manuscripts, with particular focus on the largest such collection, which is held in the Library of Trinity College Dublin. The evidence demonstrates that the professional Irish law schools were not isolated from the wider trends and practices of book production taking place in Ireland. Scribes not only adopted the new writing technology but also implemented innovative new page layouts in both materials, drawing on external influences of imported printed books, demonstrating flexibility and dexterity working between both media.
    Item Type: Article
    Keywords: Manuscript Studies; codicology; print; medieval Irish;
    Academic Unit: Faculty of Arts,Celtic Studies and Philosophy > School of Celtic Studies > Early Irish (Sean Ghaeilge)
    Item ID: 19789
    Identification Number: 10.55069/csr73901
    Depositing User: Dr Chantal Kobel
    Date Deposited: 12 May 2025 09:43
    Journal or Publication Title: Care and Conservation of Manuscripts
    Publisher: Museum Tusculanum Press
    Refereed: Yes
    Related URLs:
    URI: https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/19789
    Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

    Repository Staff Only (login required)

    Item control page
    Item control page

    Downloads

    Downloads per month over past year

    Origin of downloads