Question

Paris claimed to be the intellectual center of Gothic Europe. Its university faculty and the reputations of its masons supported this claim. Which of the following also provided support for this claim?

A It was the principal center of commerce for Europe.
B It was a center for fine book production.
C It established the first printing press.
D It was a center for classical study.

Answer 1

B) It was a center for fine book production. More specifically manuscripts, because the books were made by hand, with high quality calligraphy, and were decorated with drawings and paintings.

From the high to late Middle Ages, Paris became home to many workshops that began to produce manuscripts for the University, and for the Royal Court. A particular manuscript style emerged, which came to be known as the "Paris Style".

One famous manuscript from the era is "Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry", illustrated by Jean Fouquet during one of his stays in Paris (he was from Tours).