The Stowe Missal cumdach (8th/9th century). Photo: Dublin, Royal, Irish Academy via medievalbooks.nl
In a recent post, I described the many ways Medieval scribes and readers would transport their treasured books. There was one kind of book in particular that demanded its own post. Enter the Irish cumdach or ‘book shrine’.
As Erik Kwakkel of Leiden University explains, the cumdach is a kind of box designed to hold a small manuscript. The Stowe Missal for which the cumdach on the right was made measures only 150×120 mm, which is a little higher than the iPhone 6. The book is very snug inside the box, but the small size matches the object’s anticipated use in battle. You see, Irish cumdachs were not meant to be read. Instead, they were carried around the neck of a monk, who would run up and down in front of the troops right…
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Interesting, Chris. Thanks for sharing. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Many thanks for sharing, Chris! Hope you had a lovely Christmas at your new home 🙂
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Love it. Books are magical. Books are everything from soothing to powerful. They have so many functions. Hugs
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Please read my blogs & leave your invaluable remarks
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So far, so good Nand – complete your About page and add all your other media to your blog and Gravatar 😃
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sure, thanks for guide,
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