| Long abstract | The final chapter considers the social significance of book handling in medieval manuscripts, highlighting models of gesture transmission that fostered social bonds. These models include ritualistic actions required by religious scripts, behaviors modeled by authorities, and behaviors shaped by figures such as teachers. These are all vertical forms of behavior transmission. Horizontal forms include haptic habits that transfer across contexts (at a macro level), and members of peer groups who emulate each other’s behavior (at a micro level). Finally, some interactions are dictated by the physical demands of the book object itself.
The study has emphasized the physicality of medieval book interaction, where filling in blanks or adding inscriptions was not just a clerical task but a socially binding act, connecting the past with the future through living continuity. The text investigates the ritualized nature of book handling, with authority figures modeling book interaction that trickled down through social hierarchies, becoming embedded in various rituals and thereby spreading to broader lay and religious communities.
A manuscript's marks of wear provide historical evidence of its use, supporting the argument that certain gestures, like touching book initials, had social and performative roles, enhancing the experiential aspect of reading and group participation. The chapter posits that touching an initial could signify the initiation of reading, veneration, or a demonstration to an audience. It proposes that these gestures, while evolving over time and contexts, have left enduring marks on the physical and cultural fabric of book history.
In the afterword, the author invites alternate interpretations and evidence, aiming to deepen the understanding of medieval manuscript reception and user interaction. The legacy of these book-touching behaviors persists in contemporary rituals, such as oath-taking, albeit with modern adaptations reflecting current societal norms and knowledge, such as hygiene concerns or secular values. |
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