 In the early Middle Ages, most books were produced in monasteries, whether for their own use, for presentation, or for a commission.However, commercial scriptoria grew up in large cities, especially Paris, and in Italy and the Netherlands, and by the late 14th century there was a significant industry producing manuscripts, including agents who would take long-distance commissions, with details of the heraldry of the buyer and the saints of personal interest to him (for the calendar of a Book of hours).By the end of the period, many of the painters were women, perhaps especially in Paris.