Learnings: The Ordeal of the Copyist

A complaint written by a tired coypist / 11th. cent

Hardship was intended to be part of the monastic life, so scribes were not supposed to vent their frustrations aloud. However, they found other ways to express their frustration. Many copyists noted how tiring and challenging their job was through their writing, as seen in this 11th-century manuscript, the complaint: "God help my hands."

Among the sources of discomfort were cold temperatures, excruciating pain in the joins and muscles of their hands, and burning inflammation of their back muscles. The low light, often from candles, in which they were expected to copy fine details from one manuscript to another forced them to strain their eyes; this could result in blinding headaches.