Medieval hunting manuscripts from East Anglia saved for the nation

Two unique 15th-century illuminated manuscripts, the Kerdeston Hawking Book and leaves from the Kerdeston Hunting Book, have been allocated to the British Library under the Acceptance in Lieu Scheme, administered by the Museums, Library and Archives Council (MLA), which allows items deemed to be national treasures to be given in place of inheritance tax.

The Kerdeston Hawking Book was produced in the 1430s, and was made for Sir Thomas Kerdeston of Norfolk and his first wife Elizabeth. Written by an East Anglian scribe using local dialect spellings, the manuscript includes six texts on hawking and preserves the only known copy of two of the texts. The texts contain instructions on the care and training of hawks and falcons, and the diagnosis and treatment of their ailments. The illuminations, which include two full-page and three half-page miniatures depicting scenes with hawks, were produced in a Suffolk workshop.

There are only five leaves surviving of the Kerdeston Hunting Book but they are finely illuminated and are from a book of fine quality produced in London around 1420. The leaves, which include two previously unstudied treatises in Middle English, have richly decorated borders, illuminated initials and two half-page miniatures, one of which depicts St George and the dragon flanked by portraits of Sir Thomas Kerdeston and Philippa, his second wife. The book was acquired by Sir Thomas between 1440, when he married Philippa, and 1446 when he died. Their coats of arms are added to the manuscript.

Dr Claire Breay, Head of Medieval and Earlier Manuscripts, said: “These two manuscripts are an important addition to our collection of Middle English manuscripts, which is the largest in the world. Now that these manuscripts are in the British Library we can given scholars access to this material which includes unique and previously unstudied texts.”

The British Library has also been allocated two medieval liturgical manuscripts under the Acceptance in Lieu Scheme. A decorated, 10th-century, Latin sacramentary of profound importance for the study of the Christian church and liturgy in the Middle Ages; and an illuminated, 11th- or 12th-century Greek Gospel Lectionary (book of gospel readings) of special importance for the study of Byzantine art and book production.

For further information or images please contact Catriona Finlayson on +44 (0)20 7412 7115 or email catriona.finlayson@bl.uk

Notes to Editors

1. The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom and one of the world’s greatest research libraries. It provides world-class information services to the academic, business, research and scientific communities and offers unparalleled access to the world’s largest and most comprehensive research collection. The Library’s collection has developed over 250 years and exceeds 150 million separate items representing every age of written civilisation. It includes: books, journals, manuscripts, maps, stamps, music, patents, newspapers and sound recordings in all written and spoken languages. Further information is available on the Library’s website at www.bl.uk.
2. Over £25m worth of national treasures came into public ownership this year through the Acceptance in Lieu scheme, administered by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), on behalf of the government. The scheme allows items deemed to be national treasures to be given in place of inheritance tax. The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council works with the nine regional agencies in the MLA Partnership to improve people’s lives by building knowledge, supporting learning, inspiring creativity and celebrating identity. The Partnership acts collectively for the benefit of the sector and the public, leading the transformation of museums, libraries and archives for the future. Visit: www.mla.gov.uk