(Latin ‘place of writing’) A place where books are written, in particular a place where monks copied official documents, histories, service books, biblical and devotional texts. From the Anglo-Saxon period onwards, most religiousReligious 1. Concerned with religion, showing belief in God or a deity. 2. In regards to an individual, refers to a member of an order of monks, nuns or friars who follow a Rule of life communities copied manuscripts for their own use. There is no single location for a scriptoriumScriptorium (Latin 'place of writing') A place where books are written, in particular a place where monks copied official documents, histories, service books, biblical and devotional texts. From the Anglo-Saxon period onwards, most religious communities copied manuscripts for their own use. There is no single location for a scriptorium within the complex of buildings that comprises a monastery or convent, but the supply of natural light and sometimes heat were important in deciding where it would be situated within the complex of buildings that comprises a monasteryMonastery The house of a religious community or convent, but the supply of natural light and sometimes heat were important in deciding where it would be situated