Royal manuscript unveiling on library anniversary

Martin Kauffman, head of early and rare collections at the Bodleian, said it was an early example of the New Testament translated into French for laypeople

A newly discovered royal manuscript will go on public display on the anniversary of a University of Oxford library.

The Bodleian Libraries will unveil the document, a 13th Century translation of the New Testament into old French, on 21 March.

It will coincide with the 10th anniversary celebration of the Weston Library, the home of its special collections.

Visitors will be able to see the manuscript on 22 and 23 March for the first time after it was held in private ownership for 300 years.

The Weston Library, which marks its 10th anniversary on 21 April, is home of the Bodleian Libraries' special collections

The manuscript was owned by the future King of France, Jean le Bon, before passing through the hands of three members of the English Royal Family - Thomas of Lancaster, Edmund Beaufort, and Duke Humfrey.

Their names were erased from it but have now been revealed by ultraviolet light.

It has finely decorated initials attributed to the artist known as the Cholet Master.

Duke Humfrey gave the University of Oxford a priceless collection of books, though this document does not appear to have been part of the gift.

It was purchased with the support of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Art Fund and other benefactors, following a temporary export bar by the government.

The digital images of the document will also be available to read on Digital Bodleian from 21 March

Martin Kauffman, head of early and rare collections at the Bodleian, said it was an early example of the New Testament translated into French for laypeople.

"As the Middle Ages wore on, more people wanted to read it for themselves who didn't know Latin," he said.

The manuscript will go on display in Weston's Blackwell Hall.

Mr Kauffman added that from 21 March, it would also be available to read on Digital Bodleian.

The Weston Library, which is also a working library and research centre, underwent a redevelopment that was completed in 2015.

Over the last decade, it has presented 234 public events, and hosted many notable exhibitions including Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth in 2018.

Mr Kauffman said the manuscript unveiling showed that the Weston was "very much building on that whole tradition of the old Bodleian".

Later in the year, the manuscript will go back on display in the exhibition Treasured, containing some of the Bodleian's most significant items.