Bernhard Bischoff (1906-1991) was one of the most renowned scholars of medieval palaeography of the twentieth century. In this book seven of his classic essays on aspects of eighth and ninth century culture appear for the first time in English. They include an investigation of the role of books in the transmission of culture from the sixth to the ninth century, and studies of the court libraries of Charlemagne and Louis the Pious, as well as of writing centers and libraries associated with major monastic and cathedral schools. This rich collection provides a full, coherent study of Carolingian culture from a number of different yet interdependent aspects, providing new insights for scholars and students alike.