the rise of the vernacular

'By the early thirteenth century, the demise of Latin forced the Church to resort to the vernacular in order to maintin its power and in order to reach the people. . . .

[B]ooks aided the rise of the vernacular. All books were written on parchment, papyrus, vellum or paper. It was done with a quill or reed pens using black or colored inks. Paper had been invented in China by . . . about A.D. 105 and was imported to the west from Islam. In 1190 paper mills were erected in western Europe and in the thirteenth century, paper was made from linen. The manuscripts were copied either by monks or scribes who were paid by monasteries, rich men wishing a library, or booksellers. Books were expensive and by today's standards (1993-4), the average book was [worth] roughly $800 - $1000.'

'Loren K. Ruff, Imitation and Imagination: The Art of the Theatre, 1994.