Handschrift#
Manuscript (lat. manuscriptum; German = Handschrift), what is written by hand as opposed to what is printed; term for medieval books (codices), at first made of parchment, then of paper. Single sheets were folded together and written on in ink in 1-4 columns, and held together by wooden covers. Manuscripts are either named after their content (Nibelungen manuscript), after the person who commissioned them (Manesse manuscript) or after the place where they are kept today (Vienna Genesis). Splendid manuscripts are illustrated with book illuminations (multi-colour initials, ornaments, miniatures, etc.). Anthological manuscripts contain works of various authors or literary genres ( Vorau Manuscript and Millstatt Manuscript).
Literature#
O. Mazal, Verzeichnisse der Handschriften oesterreichischer Bibliotheken, 1984; R. Hiestand, Das Buch in Mittelalter und Renaissance, 1994.