Historians were surprised when analyses revealed Catholic monks used pinniped hides for the protective outer layer on some ...

Strange “hairy” covers of books in medieval Europe were made from seal skin obtained from Viking descendants, a new study has found.

Peruse enough bookstores – or just stroll past their window displays – and you’ll certainly have encountered the design trends adorning our best (and bestselling) literature. Illustrations abound: ...

Strange “hairy” covers of books in medieval Europe were made ... The mammal was rarely depicted in medieval art, and neither did it hold a place in heraldry. “This lack of representation ...

Books with furry covers are indicative of medieval monks ... “The seal was rarely depicted in medieval art and did not hold a place in heraldry, which developed at that time.