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
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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 |
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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 |
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