The
Central Library’s Rare Books Department of the Los Angeles Public Library
houses a rare unnamed manuscript from the 13th century. It is, in fact, the only remaining manuscript from the Nostell Priory in Yorkshire, England (see Figure 1).
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| Figure 1 |
Attempts have been made, past and present, to discover details surrounding the manuscript's journey to Los Angeles from Yorkshire, England. However, the
library’s record keeping fails to include any details as to when or how the
manuscript was acquired, leaving scholars with mere educated guesses as to how and when it arrived at the library.
This study attempts to gain insight into the origins of this manuscript by analyzing its historical context and known history along with its physical characteristics such as size, collation, rubrication, and illumination. In 1200 C.E., the Nostell Priory was a place of quiet monastic practice which this simple yet precise manuscript reflects.
