How important were books in the middle ages? How were they made? How were they used?

c. 330 - 1300 C.E.

Hand-made books of the Middle Ages are called manuscripts. Books that contain artistic decoration are called illuminated manuscripts. Manuscripts that survive from the European Middle Ages are generally religious books that reflect the canon, doctrine and practices of Christianity, though there are Jewish and Muslim books and other types of books that survive from this time period as well.