History in Flames : The Destruction and Survival of Medieval Manuscripts

How reliant is our comprehension of the past on written records? And what transpires when these sources are obliterated? Concentrating on the manuscripts of the Middle Ages, 'History in Flames' investigates instances where vast volumes of written material were destroyed within a single day. This annihilation did not occur by accident of fire or flood, but rather by human forces such as arson, shelling, and bombing. This book examines the political and military events that preceded the moment of destruction, from the Franco-Prussian War and the Irish Civil War to the intricacies of World War II; it analyses the material lost and how it came to be where it was.

Simultaneously, it discusses the heroic endeavours made by scholars and archivists to preserve these manuscripts, even partially. 'History in Flames' reminds us that historical knowledge rests upon material remains, and that these remains are vulnerable.

Product Information:

Book ISBN:	9781009457156
Book Author:	Robert Bartlett
Book Format:	Hardback
Book Imprint:	Cambridge University Press
Book Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Book Dimensions:	222 x 147 x 20 cm
Book Publication Date:	2024-08-22
Book Pagination:	220 pages, Worked examples or Exercises
Book Weight:	432g