In this track, we hear exhibition curators Jane Wild and Renee Orr share impressions, selections and insights into medieval manuscripts currently on display in the Gallery - Level 2 Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero | Central City Library.

"For most of the medieval period, from the 5th to the 15th century, books were copied out and decorated by hand. These are the books we call medieval manuscripts. For this exhibition, we have selected just nine of these miraculous books to show the range of Auckland Council Libraries’ exceptional collection.

They include 12th century Greek Gospels, a tiny ‘Pocket Bible’ and massive lectern Bibles. A Latin translation of Aristotle features extensive marginalia, including the description of a lunar eclipse in 1312. Painted and illuminated pages include dragons, saints and intricate border decorations."

We invite you to explore digitised versions of our Rare Book and Manuscript Collections on Kura Heritage Collections Online or come in and get up close in person. The exhibition is open until 11 Nov 2023.

https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/search/searchterm/Medieval%20Manuscripts

Image: St. George. From: Rossdhu Book of Hours, between 1450 -1475. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, MedMS-G146