This book examines for the first time the scriptorium of the Augustinian Monastery of St. Pancras in Hamersleben. In the last quarter of the 12th century six wellknown manuscripts were produced there. Of the fourteen scribeartists involved, one in particular stands out as responsible for the correct text and illustrations. The bold innovations of this master scribeartist are expressed especially in the decoration programmes of a Psalter and two Gospel books. The manuscripts produced in the Hamersleben Scriptorium, as well as its notable library, were dispersed throughout the world or thought to be lost. In this book six known manuscripts are brought home, to Hamersleben.
Each manuscript is minutely analysed for its codicology, palaeography, text and illuminations. The style of script as well as the style and iconography of the illustrations are discussed in relation to those from other monasteries in Saxony, in order to examine the evolvement of the regional style.


Lisa Fagin Davis in Speculum July 2006:

The book is a paleographer's dream, with sample after sample of each scribe and detailed descriptions of the scribes' distinguishing characteristics.