Understanding Postils: A Guide to Medieval Written Commentary

Postil (also spelled "postill" or "postel") is a term that was used in the Middle Ages to describe a type of written commentary or gloss that was added to the margins of a book or manuscript. The word "postil" comes from the Latin "postillare," which means "to add after."

Postils were typically written by hand and were intended to provide additional information or explanations about the text of the main book or manuscript. They might include glosses, notes, or summaries of key points, as well as references to other relevant texts or sources. Postils were often used by scholars and students to help them understand and interpret the material they were studying.

In some cases, postils were also used to correct errors or omissions in the main text, or to provide alternative readings or interpretations. They might be written in the margins of the book or on separate pages, and could be added by the author, a reader, or a later editor.

Over time, the term "postil" has been used less frequently, and the practice of adding written commentary to the margins of books has largely fallen out of use. However, the concept of postils continues to be relevant today, as scholars and readers often use digital tools such as annotations, highlighting, and note-taking features to engage with and understand written texts.