Hornbook (1442-1800)

Hornbook (1442-1800) was the schoolbook used to teach children to read in early English, and later American, schools. Invented in response to the expense and scarcity of paper, the hornbook consisted of one sheet of vellum or paper pasted to a flat board with a handle, shaped like a table-tennis paddle, and covered over with a thin piece of transparent cow's horn, giving the appearance of lamination.

On the paper was printed the Criss-Cross Row (Christ's-Cross followed by the alphabet), the Benediction, the Lord's Prayer, and the Roman numerals. The hornbook ceased being used in the early 1800's, when paper became less expensive and more easily available. The Benediction written on the Hornbook was:

<In the Name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost, Amen.> 1442HB001

--

American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.

Endnotes:

1442HB001. Hornbook, 1442-1800. The World Book Encyclopedia, 18 vols. (Chicago, IL: Field Enterprises, Inc., 1957; W.F. Quarrie and Company, 8 vols., 1917; World Book, Inc., 22 vols., 1989), Vol. 8, p. 3526. Robert P. Gwinn, et. al., The New Encyclopedia Britannica-Micropaedia (Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., founded 1768, 15th edition), Vol. 6, p. 63-64. Gary DeMar, God and Government-A Biblical And Historical Study (Atlanta, GA: American Vision Press, 1982), Vol. 1, p. 18.


Older Post Newer Post


Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published