Medieval manuscripts – Cambridge University Library Special Collections

Medievalism in fin de siècle Paris: a new acquisition

Posted on 4 August 2025 by Liam Sims

One of the more enjoyable parts of curating the Library’s collection of rare books is adding new (old) books to our shelves, in areas which […]

Special Collections

Newnham College Christine de Pizan manuscript digitised

Posted on 28 May 2025 by Special Collections

This post is by Dr Charlotte Cooper-Davis, Learning and Research Engagement Officer at the University Library. She has been researching and writing about the fifteenth-century […]

Digitisation, French, Manuscripts, Medieval manuscripts, Special Collections

“Messing about in boats”: four Cambridge University Cruising Club logbooks, 1888-1902

Posted on 1 April 2025 by Special Collections

Post by Sam Evans (Assistant Archivist, Archives & Modern Manuscripts) The Cambridge University Cruising Club was founded on 20 May 1893 ‘to encourage amateur sailing, […]

Archives, Cambridge University Archives, Special Collections

William Morris & the book

Posted on 11 June 2021 by Liam Sims

To mark the 125th anniversary of the publication of William Morris’s edition of the works of Chaucer, 26th June has been designated ‘International Kelmscott Press […]

Anniversaries, Collectors and collecting, Historical Printing, Manuscripts, Special Collections

The Polonsky Foundation Greek Manuscripts Project: The conservators’ challenge – Part 1

Posted on 12 December 2019 by CUL Conservation

The Polonsky Foundation Greek Manuscripts Project has been a great support in encouraging continued professional development within the project. In this blog post we will […]

Collection Care, Conservation, Digitisation, Greek, Manuscripts, Medieval manuscripts, Polonsky Greek, Special Collections

A previously unrecorded sewing technique from the 12th Century.

Posted on 11 April 2019 by CUL Conservation

Posted on 11/04/2019 by Jim Bloxam A new essay, by Jim Bloxam and Shaun Thompson, has been published in Suave Mechanicals: Essays in the History of […]

Conservation, Manuscripts, Special Collections

Rebinding the Red Book of Thorney

Posted on 8 December 2017 by CUL Conservation

By Shaun Thompson The Red Book of Thorney is an early fourteenth-century cartulary originally from Thorney Abbey in Cambridgeshire. It was donated to Cambridge University […]

Cambridge Digital Library, Christian Works, Collection Care, Conservation, Digital Resources, Friends of Cambridge University Library, Manuscripts

Absence as Evidence: Recovering the Losses in an Eighth-century Gospel Book

Posted on 11 August 2017 by Special Collections

Guest post by Dr Eleanor Jackson

Manuscripts

Reading Between the Lines: An 11th-Century Bilingual Psalter

Posted on 22 October 2016 by James Freeman

The sixth of our ‘Treasures of the University Library’ talks was given by Dr James Freeman, Medieval Manuscripts Specialist:

Cambridge Digital Library, Events, Manuscripts

Digging Deeper 2 launches today

Posted on 21 April 2015 by Suzanne Paul

Numerous classes are held in the UL every year introducing students to the delights and challenges of working with medieval manuscripts. Undergraduates and postgraduates studying […]

Cambridge Digital Library, Conservation, Digital Resources, Manuscripts