Filling the gap: new approaches to medieval bookbinding studies

A novel digital tool for recording and comparing medieval bookbinding features has been developed, addressing a gap in the field where such studies lag behind other aspects of manuscript research. This innovative method, applied to codices from the Monastery of Alcobaça, combines a multilanguage glossary with a structured, table-based approach to document book structures (bookblock, sewing, endbands, supports, boards, covering, fastening, and furnishing elements) alongside material analysis. Preliminary case studies demonstrate its potential for enhancing comparative research, enabling broader insights into medieval bookbinding practices.

Tourais, A., Casanova, C., & Barreira, C. F. (2022). Filling the gap: new approaches to medieval bookbinding studies. Journal of Medieval Iberian Studies, 14(1), 109–126. https://doi.org/10.1080/17546559.2021.2021589