The Middle Ages saw the beginnings of a rebirth in
literature. Early medieval books were painstakingly hand-copied and illustrated by
monks. Paper was a rarity, with vellum, made from calf's skin, and parchment, made from
lamb's skin, were the media of choice for writing. Students learning to write used
wooden tablets covered in green or black wax. The greatest number of books during this
era were bound with plain wooden boards, or with simple tooled leather for more
expensive volumes.
Wandering scholars and poets traveling
to the Crusades learned of new writing styles. Courtly Love spawned a new interest in
romantic prose. Troubadours sang in medieval courtyards about epic battles involving
Roland, Arthur, and Charlemagne. Literature exploded from the universities as scholars
began to question convention and write social commentary, as well as poetic
fiction.
Language saw further development during the Middle
Ages. Capital and lowercase letters were developed with rules for each. Books were
treasures, rarely shown openly in a library, but rather, kept safely under lock and key.
Finding someone who might loan you a book was a true friend. Some might rent out their
books, while others, desperate for cash, might turn to the book as a valuable item to be
pawned.
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