Medieval manuscript fragments, ca. 850-1499

Summary

Creators:

Bliss, Philip, 1787-1857, collector.

Extent:

17 items (20 leaves).

Language:

English.

Background

Scope and content:

From England, France, Germany and Italy, these 17 fragments represent various scripts including Beneventan, Carolingian, Gothic and secretary.

Biographical / historical:

Philip Bliss, Oxford antiquary, was one of the first collectors to recognize the historical and cultural importance of the medieval manuscript fragments. Most of the fragments came from the best known books of the Middle Ages; they survived intact in England until ca. 1520-70 at which time, particularly in Oxford and Cambridge, they were taken to pieces for use by binders as pastedowns, wrappers, fly leaves, and reinforcing strips.

Location of this collection:

Stanford University, Manuscripts Division

Department of Special Collections, Green Library

557 Escondido Mall

Stanford, CA 94305-6004, US

Contact:

(650) 725-1022

specialcollections@stanford.edu

Website