This paper is about the printing of incunabula in the old medieval cities of Oxford and St. Albans. The former was a centre of learning, the latter a centre of religion. Caxton, who lived and worked in Westminster, brought the craft of book printing from the continent and set up the first press in England. By far the most important part of the printing was done in London, although it is true that at certain times France, the Low Countries and Switzerland made important contributions to the English book market. Moreover a variety of centres in England such as Oxford, St. Albans, Canterbury, York and Cambridge were responsible for some printing. Nevertheless their output was small and many presses went bankrupt. The first presses were founded by outstanding craftsmen trying to serve the needs of the market and assuming all the risks of production and sale. However, printing in England can only be considered against the background of trade with the Continent. The name of the first English printer varies from Theodoric to Dietrich1 Rood but the same person is meant. Thomas Hunt and the schoolmaster of St. Alban’s seem to be the “exceptions to the rule that printers in the British Isles were French, Netherlandish or German by birth, until Andrew Myllar began to print in Edinburgh and John Rastell in London”2. Oxford University Press is today one of the finest publishing houses in the world. It dates back to 1585, when “printing (there) became firmly established”3. However, there existed two presses long before that date and there was a press in St. Albans for a short time, too. [...]
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The beginning of book printing in England
- The printing of incunabula in Oxford
- The City of Oxford and its surroundings
- The printer and his partners in Oxford
- The printings from Oxford
- The printing of incunabula in St. Albans
- The City of St. Albans and its surroundings
- The press in St. Albans
- The printings from St. Albans
- The bankruptcy of both presses
- Further attempts to establish a press at Oxford
- Final remarks
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to examine the early history of incunabula printing in Oxford and St. Albans, two significant medieval English cities. It explores the establishment, operation, and eventual failure of these early printing presses within the broader context of the burgeoning English book market and its relationship with continental European printing traditions.
- The introduction and spread of printing technology in England.
- The role of Oxford and St. Albans as early printing centers.
- The economic and commercial challenges faced by early English printers.
- The relationship between early English printing and continental European printing.
- The specific characteristics of printing in Oxford and St. Albans.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by outlining the paper's focus on incunabula printing in Oxford and St. Albans. It highlights the contrasting natures of these cities – Oxford as a center of learning and St. Albans as a religious center – and places their printing activities within the broader context of early English printing, acknowledging the dominance of London and the influence of continental European printers. The chapter also briefly discusses the challenges faced by early printers in England, including the risks associated with production and sales, and the importance of trade with the continent. It touches upon the unique case of Thomas Hunt and the schoolmaster of St. Albans, highlighting their roles as exceptions to the largely foreign origins of early English printers.
The beginning of book printing in England: This chapter details the arrival and development of printing in England, starting with the introduction of the printing press and the transition of books from luxury items to more widely accessible commodities. It traces the spread of printing across Europe, noting the earlier establishment of presses in various continental countries before England. A significant portion focuses on William Caxton, the first English printer, discussing his background, his translation of "Recueils de histoires de Troyes," and his role in establishing the first printing shop in England. The chapter also analyzes Caxton's business practices, including his importation of materials and skilled workers from the Continent, and his influence on the subsequent development of English printing. The role of Wynkyn de Worde as Caxton's successor is also explored.
The printing of incunabula in Oxford: This chapter delves into the specifics of incunabula printing in Oxford, providing background on the city and its context. It examines the establishment of the Oxford press, focusing on the printer Theodoric Rood and his business partners. The chapter then analyzes the nature of the printing done in Oxford, likely concentrating on the local market needs and the types of publications produced. It analyzes the limited success and ultimate failure of the venture, providing context for the challenges inherent to establishing and sustaining a printing business in this early period.
The printing of incunabula in St. Albans: This chapter mirrors the previous one, but focuses on the establishment and operation of the printing press in St. Albans. It offers details about the city itself, its characteristics, and the printing press established there. The chapter examines the press's specific output, likely with an emphasis on scholastic works given the city's religious character. Similar to the Oxford case, it discusses the reasons behind the limited success and eventual bankruptcy of the press, providing a comparison with Oxford.
The bankruptcy of both presses: This chapter analyzes the reasons behind the failure of the Oxford and St. Albans printing presses. It explores the economic challenges faced by these early ventures, considering factors such as market competition, production costs, and the limited demand for printed books at the time. It provides a comparative analysis of the two presses, highlighting any differences in their operational strategies and the factors that contributed to their respective failures.
Further attempts to establish a press at Oxford: This chapter explores subsequent attempts to establish a printing press in Oxford after the initial failure. It investigates the reasons why further attempts were made despite the earlier setbacks and analyzes whether these later ventures met with more success or continued to face similar challenges. The chapter examines the broader implications of these attempts on the development of printing in Oxford and beyond.
Keywords
Incunabula, Early Printing, England, Oxford, St. Albans, William Caxton, Wynkyn de Worde, Theodoric Rood, Book Production, Printing Press, Medieval England, Economic History, Publishing History.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Study of Early Incunabula Printing in Oxford and St. Albans
What is the main focus of this study?
This study examines the early history of incunabula printing in Oxford and St. Albans, England, exploring the establishment, operation, and eventual failure of these early printing presses. It analyzes these events within the broader context of the developing English book market and its relationship with continental European printing traditions.
What topics are covered in the study?
The study covers the introduction and spread of printing technology in England, the roles of Oxford and St. Albans as early printing centers, the economic challenges faced by early English printers, the relationship between early English and continental European printing, and the specific characteristics of printing in Oxford and St. Albans. It also details the lives and work of key figures such as William Caxton, Wynkyn de Worde, and Theodoric Rood.
What is an incunabulum?
An incunabulum is a book printed before the year 1501. This study focuses on incunabula printed in Oxford and St. Albans during this early period of printing.
Why were Oxford and St. Albans chosen for this study?
Oxford and St. Albans were significant medieval English cities. Oxford, a center of learning, and St. Albans, a religious center, provide interesting case studies of early printing ventures outside the dominant printing hub of London.
What were the key challenges faced by the early printers in Oxford and St. Albans?
The early printers faced significant economic and commercial challenges, including market competition, high production costs, limited demand for printed books, and difficulties in securing sufficient capital and skilled labor. The study analyzes these challenges in detail, comparing the experiences of the Oxford and St. Albans presses.
What were the main findings regarding the Oxford printing press?
The study examines the establishment of the Oxford press, focusing on the printer Theodoric Rood and his partners. It analyzes the types of publications produced, the limited success of the venture, and the reasons for its ultimate failure. The limited local market and challenges inherent to early printing businesses are highlighted.
What were the main findings regarding the St. Albans printing press?
The study investigates the establishment and operation of the St. Albans printing press, focusing on its output and the reasons for its eventual bankruptcy. Given St. Albans' religious character, the study likely emphasizes scholastic works among its publications. A comparison with the Oxford press is also provided.
What is the significance of William Caxton and Wynkyn de Worde in this context?
William Caxton is recognized as the first English printer. The study discusses his background, his role in establishing the first printing shop in England, his business practices, and his influence on the subsequent development of English printing. Wynkyn de Worde, Caxton's successor, is also explored.
What were the long-term consequences of the failures of the Oxford and St. Albans presses?
The study examines subsequent attempts to establish printing presses in Oxford after the initial failures, analyzing whether these later ventures were more successful and exploring the broader implications of these attempts on the development of printing in Oxford and beyond.
What keywords are associated with this study?
Keywords associated with this study include: Incunabula, Early Printing, England, Oxford, St. Albans, William Caxton, Wynkyn de Worde, Theodoric Rood, Book Production, Printing Press, Medieval England, Economic History, and Publishing History.
- Quote paper
- Michael Gärtner (Author), 2003, The Incunabala print from Oxford and St. Albans, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/21216
