On Radio 4 Now

Ramblings

15:00 - 15:27

Clare joins writer and storyteller Anna Maria Murphy on a walk in Cornwall.

Coming up at: 15:27

Radio 4 Appeal

View full schedule

  1. BBC Radio 4
  2. Programmes
  3. In Our Time
  4. The Written World
  5. Episode 2

Episode 2

Listen :

Listen now (30 minutes)

Availability:

Available to listen.

Last broadcast on Tue, 3 Jan 2012, 21:30 on BBC Radio 4 (see all broadcasts).

Synopsis

Episode image for Episode 2

In the second instalment of his survey of the written word, Melvyn Bragg traces the evolution of writing technology from the time of classical antiquity to the invention of printing. He discovers the origins of the book, and encounters the earliest surviving intact example in the Western world.

Producer: Thomas Morris.

Gutenberg Bible

An overall view of the paper copy of the Gutenberg Bible held at the British Library.

The British Library's copy of the Gutenberg Bible printed on paper was transferred as part of the King's Library to the British Museum in 1828. It had been acquired by George III (1738-1820) at an unknown date.

Image copyright British Library Board

Gutenberg Bible in the British Library - The copy on paper

Gutenberg Bible - the copy on vellum

The British Library's copy of the Gutenberg Bible printed on vellum was bequeathed to the British Museum by Thomas Grenville in 1846.

Image copyright British Library Board

Gutenberg Bible - more details about the copy on Vellum

Gutenberg Bible

Details of an illuminated page in the paper version of the Gutenberg Bible at the British Library.

Image copyright British Library Board

More details about the decoration at the British Library website

St Cuthbert Gospel

The 7th century St Cuthbert Gospel - the earliest intact European book.

A manuscript copy of the Gospel of St John, the St Cuthbert Gospel was produced in the North of England in the late 7th century and was buried alongside St Cuthbert on Lindisfarne, apparently in 698, and later found in the saint’s coffin at Durham Cathedral in 1104. It has a beautifully-worked original red leather binding in excellent condition, and is the only surviving high-status manuscript from this crucial period in British history to retain its original appearance, both inside and out.

Image copyright British Library Board

More about the St Cuthbert Gospel and the campaign to acquire it

St Cuthbert Gospel

Detail of a page from the St Cuthbert Gospel, produced in the North of England in the late 7th century.

Image copyright British Library Board

Broadcasts

  1. Tue 3 Jan 2012
    09:00
  2. Tue 3 Jan 2012
    21:30

More details

Episode 2 of 5 from

Duration

30 minutes

Buzz about this programme

Discussion on Blogs

  1. The Written Word on Radio

Links are found automatically and then selected for relevancy. Find out more or report a problem.

See all buzz for Episode 2

More from BBC Radio 4

bbc.co.uk navigation

BBC © 2012

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.