Richard Sharpe (Book order)

Richard Sharpe Book order

Richard Sharpe is a Professor of Diplomatics at the University of Oxford, with research interests that span the history of medieval England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. He is particularly dedicated to working directly with primary sources of medieval history, focusing on their palaeography, diplomatic analysis, and the editorial process. His work also delves into the historical and legal contexts surrounding medieval documents, highlighting their significance. He serves as the general editor for a major project cataloging British medieval library collections.

Libraries and Books in Medieval England

The Role of Libraries in a Changing Book Economy

192 pages
7 hours of reading

Focusing on the impact of King Henry VIII's suppression of religious houses, this work explores the vast loss of medieval English literature and the subsequent efforts to piece together the remnants of its libraries. It challenges the traditional view of monastic libraries as the sole sources of books, highlighting the broader book economy, including private ownership and the emergence of the book trade. Drawing from extensive scholarship, it presents a comprehensive analysis of surviving texts and medieval library catalogues, offering a fresh perspective on cultural transmission in the Middle Ages.