Regensburg Book

The Regensburg Book, also known as the Gospels of Abbess Uta, is a significant example of early 11th-century manuscript illumination from the Regensburg scriptorium in Germany. This scriptorium drew inspiration from a grand Carolingian book, the Golden Gospels of Charles the Bald.1

In early Christian history, books, particularly Christian writings, were often preserved in codex form on durable vellum, which allowed for easier comparison of sources. This contrasted with pagan works, which were more commonly on papyrus rolls. Christianity's emphasis on dissemination and its universal outlook led to a greater reliance on books for recording and explaining beliefs. By the 4th century, the Christian book had largely replaced the pagan book in form and content.2