Model of the Medieval Girdle Book

Introduction

Medieval girdle books are small, portable books that were worn by clergy, aristocrats and religious travelers between the late 14th and early 16th centuries [Kup]. The book is made up of a codex with a leather binding that loosely extends well past the cover of the book. The leather extension is usually tapered to form a tail that can be knotted and tucked under one’s belt, or girdle, hence the name. The tail of the binding is found on the bottom of the book, so that when it is swung upwards, the characters are readable. The genre of the codices there were bound in the girdle format were usually religious, however, there is some evidence that those in the law profession had their books in the girdle format. However, based on the surviving girdle books today, and their depictions in art, the large majority of girdle books are thought to be of religious context.

The girdle book was popular in a relatively restricted geographical area, from the Netherlands to the Upper Rhine valley. Similar to its geographic confinement, the girdle book only remained popular for a period of around 150 years. During its period of popularity, women were major users of the girdle book. Since the inclusion of a girdle belt above the waist became a popular addition to the female medieval outfit around the 15th century, women especially wore girdle books. The girdle book secured at the waist both provided the benefit of hands-free transportation of the book, as well as protection from theft or loss. The complete coverage by the binding also provided protection of the manuscript. Additionally, wearing the girdle book made a statement of one’s high position in society and their literacy and knowledge.

The Study of the Girdle Book

Number of Preserved Girdle Books per Country
Germany	11
United States	3
Denmark	2
Sweden	1 or 2
England	1 or 2
Netherlands	1
Poland	1
Austria	1
Estonia	1

While girdle books are well documented in medieval art, ranging from paintings to carved tombstones, relatively few physical books remain, making them difficult to study. Margit Smith, a librarian at the University of San Diego and a lauded historian of girdle books, estimates that only 23 to 24 known examples remain. Despite this estimated count, it is difficult to determine precisely how many girdle books remain. Oftentimes, the leather extensions were cut off to repurpose the leather, or to make them easier to store. During the late 16th century, manuscripts began to be shelved upright, with their spines pointed out. The construction of the girdle book would prove difficult to house in these shelves.

Another challenge in the study of the girdle book is rooted in the terminology used to describe them. The German words Beutelbuch, translated as “pouch book,” and Buchbeutel, translated as “book pouch,” are often used interchangeably. Buchbeutel invokes the image of a bag used to house a book when it is not used. These words clearly describe two different objects, which presents a difficulty when girdle books are cataloged at libraries. Many more examples of girdle books may be stored at libraries, hidden by this ambiguous cataloging, and can only be identified by close examination. These issues present a large challenge to the study and understanding of the medieval girdle book.

Anatomy of the Girdle Book

Using the few examples remaining today, the structure and construction of the girdle book has been deeply analyzed. In his The Medieval Girdle Book, Smith explains in detail the different general components of the girdle book. He states that there are two main types of girdle books: single cover and double cover. The single cover book “consists of a primary binding only, providing on the bottom edge the long leather extension by which it could be slipped under the belt, or carried by hand.” On the other hand, the double cover book “consists of a primary (inner) and secondary (outer) cover, and either encloses the book-block completely when it hangs from the belt, or leaves the fore-edge and the top edge open.” Most girdle books, in either style, were small and compact, usually between 90mm to 160mm high. This compact style allowed for their transportability and easy access. The covers of the book extended and tapered at the ends, allowing them to be knotted. The knot was then tucked under one’s belt to allow for hands-free transportation. The books hung so that the head was downward, allowing the carrier to pick up the book and read it. Detailed analyses of two preserved gridle books complicate contemporary understanding of their anatomy.