This collection of essays by leading experts in manuscript studies sheds new light on ways to approach medieval texts in their manuscript context. Each contribution provides groundbreaking insights into the field of medieval textual culture by demonstrating the interconnection between medieval material and literary cultures.

1. Introduction Graham D Caie and Denis Renevey 2. The Manuscript Experience: What Medieval Vernacular Manuscripts Tell Us About Authors and Texts Graham D. Caie 3. Aspects of Mise-en-Page in Manuscripts of the Wycliffite Bible Matti Peikola 4.Harley 3954 and the Audience of Piers Plowman Simon Horobin 5.Cy ensuent trois chaunceons': Groups and Sequences of Middle English Lyrics Julia Boffey 6.Sir John Fastolf's French Books Richard Beadle 7.Journeyman Manuscript Production and Lay Piety: The Hopton Hall Manuscript A.S. G. Edwards 8.Contexts and Comments: the Chastising of God's Children and the Mirror of Simple Souls in MS Bodley 505 Marleen Cré 9. The Haunted Text: Reflections in The Mirror to Deuout People Vincent Gillespie 10.Some North Yorkshire Scribes and Their Context Ralph Hanna 11.Looking for a Context: Rolle, Anchoritic Culture, and the Office of the Dead Denis Renevey 12. Issues of linguistic categorisation in the evolution of written Middle English Jeremy J. Smith List of Manuscripts Bibliography Notes on Contributors Index

Graham D. Caie, Denis Renevey