Curiously, while this cathach (‘battler’) is commonly regarded as an object meant for carrying into battle to ensure victory (source here), it is obviously too big to carry around one’s neck: it measures 270×190 mm and weighs quite a bit. The most famous of these is the sixth-century Cathach of St Columba, which holds a Psalter from the sixth or seventh century. 4 – Stockholm, Royal LIbrary, Karl XII’s “fältbibel” (c. It made good sense to store this ‘secret weapon’ in a sturdy box that could withstand all that bouncing around and even a potential blow of a sword. The book became a charm of sorts, which was to bring fortune in battle. The Irish cumdachs were often carried around the neck of a monk who would run up and down in front of the troops right before battle. ![]() The small size matches the object’s anticipated use. The book is very snug inside the box (Fig. 2 was made, measures only 150×120 mm, which is a little higher than the iPhone 6 (and a little smaller than the iPhone 6 Plus). The Stowe Missal for which the cumdach in Fig. The cumdach often held a small manuscript. 2 but showing the inside, with Stowe Missal visible 2- Dublin, Royal, Irish Academy, D ii 3 (8th/9th century) – Source (collections > RIA) Fig. One type of book box in particular matches this profile very well: the Irish cumdach or ‘book shrine’ (Figs. Book boxes actually bear a striking resemblance to medieval reliquaries, shrines or containers made for holding a relic such as the arm of a saint (example here) or a splinter of the holy cross ( here). In fact, ivory cuttings and shiny gems reflected the importance the book had within a monastic community or a church. My recent post on “slim” books showed the actual book found inside this box, a narrow object designed to be held in one hand (post here, image here).ĭecoration on the outside of the book box not only made the object look pretty, it also gave it prestige. The box contains a famous book of hymns from St Gall, which was designed to be carried in processions both within the monastery and through the nearby city of St Gall. Such boxes were usually made out of wood, to which ornaments, gems and even ivory cuttings were attached, commonly with nails. A particularly well preserved example is seen in Fig. The book box is probably the sturdiest and most effective means to protect your book against the elements and other hostilities on the medieval road. 1 – St Gall, Stiftsbibliothek, MS 360 (11th century) – Source However, the ones that do indicate that many were made with a specific purpose in mind, namely transportation. Here are some popular means of packing up your book to go in medieval times, including the precursor of our modern tablet sleeve.īox it Fig. Unfortunately, few of these exotic – and fascinating – storage devices survive today. However, medieval and modern reading culture take different paths when it comes to books that are not in use. While both then and now the objects are commonly shelved after use, medieval readers had additional storing options: slipping the book into a box, bag or wrapper. This was not very different in medieval times. Books in use generally reside in our hands or on our desks.
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