Why did medieval scribes leave so much empty space on the margins

File: london_bl_add_43725.jpg (851KB, 1024x1029px) Image search: [Google]

851KB, 1024x1029px

>>1805169
I mean look at this.

looks cooler

Maybe to allow a person studying these texts to add sidenotes? I've seen this in bibles too, granted those bibles were post printing press so it might be a shit example.

>>1805169
After binding a book the pages are cut. You need space for that. Also books weren't always stored in the best conditions. The text would still be untouched if the book took any damage.
>I only made this up though and have no actual clue.

>>1805169
Several reasons, for starters there's lot of space for annotations and emendations.

They're also built to last, so if you rip or burn the page chances are it won't reach the text.

>>1805169
edges get damaged more easily

>>1805169
Space for annotation.

>>1805207

The first bit. They didnt go down to the ye olde boke shoppe and bought a blank book and filled it in like a notepad or sketchbook. Each page was written out and illustrated individually, then it was all sewn together to match later.

Part of the process involves shaving down the edges so they're all the same size and the writers didnt want to risk part of the text being taken with it, possibly through multiple bingings and repairs.

Not to mention, having a lot of blank space is a show of wealth. That you can afford extra parchement or paper to just leave it blank, rather than trying to cram as much text in as possible.

File: book of kells.jpg (464KB, 1024x1440px) Image search: [Google]

464KB, 1024x1440px

always leave some room for doodling