| Description | Assorted [mainly medieval] manuscripts from UK universities and libraries, including bestiaries, bibles, service books, psalters, books of hours, apocalypses, [including many from 'Medieval and Renaissance Studies', published by World Microfilms Publications Ltd]. Also includes microfilms of archives of the Imperial Institute, London, 1904-1948 [originals held at The National Archives] and from other sources, late 20th century. |
| Admin History | This collection was purchased by the Library to support the teaching and research of medieval and renaissance studies in a piecemeal fashion. Some items were also donated.
Of the bought items, most were acquired by the Medieval Studies section of the Dept. of English, being illuminated medieval manuscripts in the major collections of the UK eg Lambeth Palace, Lincoln Cathedral, and various Oxford and Cambridge colleges.
Of the donated items, many were manuscripts which were being intensively studied by postgraduate students, which they had either purchased privately or which had been acquired via interlibrary loan. Others were acquired by members of academic staff for their research.
The items in the collection were acquired during the mid 1960s to the mid 1990s, at which point Medieval Studies within the university received less emphasis as an area of teaching and research.
A few items not relating to Medieval Studies are also included, such as the selected archives of the Imperial Institute, London. |