Page:Historical essay on the art of bookbinding (IA 0130ARTO).pdf/10

10 noticed by Chaucer in the prologue to the Canterbury Tales:

Astle tells of a famous “Textus Sancti Cuthberti,” written in the seventh century, adorned in the Saxon times by Bilfrith, a monk of Durham, with a silver cover, gilt and precious stones, described by Simeon Dunelmensis: “A booke of Gospeiles, garnished and wrought with antique worke of silver and gilte, with an image of the Crucifix, with Mary and John, poiz together, cccxxij oz.”

Several books bound during the reign of Charlemagne, presumably under the supervision of the great Alcuin, are specially noted for the gorgeousness of their exterior decorations; and they were also masterpieces of calligraphy in letters of glittering gold on purple vellum, by the Emperor’s daughters, Gisela and Rothruda; by Alcuin and his pupils at Aix-la-Chapelle. The book of Gospels which Ada, sister of Charlemagne, gave to the abbey of Saint Maximin of Treves was studded with gems encircling an agate five inches in width and four in length, with an engraved representation of Ada, the Emperor, and