Dimensions and trimming of the MS

[LisaFaginDavis]

Jorge, if you really want big data about manuscript sizing, you can download hundreds of thousands of records with height/width data from the Schoenberg Database of Manuscripts. Others have done that. What you find when you plot the aspect ratios is that yes, the ratio in the later Middle Ages is generally near a golden ratio, but sizes vary considerably, especially within monastic communities. For the professional book trade, you may be right that there were roughly standardized sizes, but it's very rough indeed. Papermaking was governed by strict size standards, but not necessarily parchment. Also, manuscripts TEND to get smaller as the era moves on, for lots of reasons including the introduction of private devotional practice, necessitating small prayerbooks and Bibles for personal use. 

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