This work retraces the history of a material, parchment, from its birth linked to the invention of the Codex at the beginning of the Middle Ages, to its disappearance at the time of the arrival of printing. Chapters dealing with Illumination, the techniques of treating the pelts, with writing, with the materials and coulours used to decorate parchment complete this history. Timeline, plans, maps, diagrams and glossary facilitate a clear understanding of the subject.CONTENTS : Introduction – Milestones - The origins – History – From pelt to parchment – From the VIIIth to the XVth century – Writing – Illumination – An ornamented initial – Glossary – Places of conservation and consultation.