Overview

Overview

The scriptorium of Jacques de Bretagne never existed, though in the 1200's shops for the hand copying of manuscripts sprang up in some cities with universities. Until the 1200's, monks, helped by lay craftworkers, produced most books in monastery workshops called scriptoriums. In the 1200's, however, with the growth of universities, book production shifted largely to shops in cities.

Even if the scriptorium of Jacques de Bretagne had existed, it never would have been able to offer such a wide range of books, especially books from outside Europe. However, the references to university regulations are accurate. In Paris, the university passed regulations to protect teachers and students from dishonest practices in the buying, selling, and renting of books.