Letter O on square background filled in purple with white highlights and framed in thin light purple, red and green frame. Inside multicoloured O there is a portrait of Christ with cruciform halo, holding an empty scroll in his both hands. He is dressed in blueish-purple and white, has a dark brown beard and long hair. His eyes are looking up to the right. Background is filled in with red. Gold highlights the halo and both the right and left curve of the letter O.
Image is a detail from Parker Library, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge MS 380, f. 27r
One of our treasures is the sole surving copy of Robert of Cricklade's (OSA, prior of St Frideswide, Oxford | d. after 1188) 'Speculum fidei' (Mirror of Faith)
Christ is pictured with pensive eyes & an empty scroll; what could he be thinking?
CCCC MS 380, f. 27r
tinyurl.com/2am9zv2t
#MedievalMSS
09.03.2026 17:09
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Welcome to the blue, it's great to get more medieval with you!
09.03.2026 13:52
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Story of pivotal English battle on show at Lincoln Castle
The medieval Chronica Majora recalls the victory that prevented a French takeover of the country.
Visitors to Lincoln Castle have the chance to see a medieval book highlighting the role the city played in shaping English history
Chronica Majora includes the story of the Battle of Lincoln in 1217, which turned the tide of the First Baron's War
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
07.03.2026 16:25
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Chronica Majora – Lincoln Castle
Picture of The Chronica Majora on display at Lincoln Castle
We're delighted to loan Matthew Paris's (d.1259) 'Chronica Majora' to Lincoln Castle exhibition
See the Siege of Lincoln in 1217 displayed along with Magna Carta - visit these two stars while you can!
www.lincolncastle.com/events/event...
CCCC MS 16ii, ff. 55v-56r
tinyurl.com/mre3xwp4
#MedievalMSS
04.03.2026 09:49
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Peterborough Psalter and Bestiary is making a visit to London!
Why not drop by to say hi
The manuscript is on loan at a new exhibition:
The Painted Tower: Conservation in Context at Longthorpe
Courtauld Gallery, 26 Feb–27 May 2026
courtauld.ac.uk/whats-on/exh...
CCCC MS 53, ff. 7v-8r
#medievalMSS
02.03.2026 11:02
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Making of the Bible: Texts and Languages
The new Parker Library Exhibition, 'Making of the Bible: Texts and Languages', tells the story of the Christian Bible as a book in England through some of the medieval manuscripts and early-print trea...
Making of the Bible: Texts and Languages
www.corpus.cam.ac.uk/articles/mak...
Lent '26 exhibition offers a number of medieval MSS & early-print treasures from our shelves
A wonderful chance to see various English bible translations: Wycliffe, Tyndale, Coverdale & Matthew Parker's Bishops' Bible
27.02.2026 15:18
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Medieval Worlds Residential 9-10 April 2026
Nominations by teachers of Year 12 (Y13/S5) students; includes free accommodation and food. Deadline for nominations 2 March 2026 (midday)
We're looking forward to the Medieval Worlds Residential, hosted here by @corpuscambridge.bsky.social on 9-10 April for Year 12 (Y13/S5) students
What is it? Check College Outreach's Instagram: tinyurl.com/5n94vtk3
or
www.corpus.cam.ac.uk/medieval-wor...
DL for nominations: Monday 2 March at noon!
25.02.2026 14:32
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Excerpt of a page in medieval manuscript containing information about herbs and their uses. Right hand column contains the text in brownish-black ink, with a capital S in red with blue pen-flourishes that starts the paragraph on 'allia' / garlic. Left hand column contains summary of main medical uses of garlic, written in red ink by the same hand has the main text. Left column is occasionally intersperced with translation glosses of the main headword, added by a later hand. Black ink reads 'Haus .Garlec.' to indicate the Middle French and Middle English words for 'allia'.
The Parker Library, CCCC MS 438, f. 21v
Trilingualism in action: Latin book on herbs & their uses gets translation annotations of some head words to French & English
Things I learned: 'haus' (Middle French) is a (rare) plural form of 'allia' (Latin), aka 'garlec' (Middle English)
CCCC MS 438, f. 21v
parker.stanford.edu/parker/catal...
26.01.2026 10:50
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Gothic letter U with penwork decoration depicting a face on the right, sticking out a red tongue and two rabbits on red background inside the bow of the U
The Parker Library, CCCC MS 079, f. 134v (c. 1400-1425)
Gothic letter O with penwork decoration depicting a face on the right, sticking out a red tongue, two rabbits on red background inside the circle of the O and one (parrot-like) bird sitting on top.
The Parker Library, CCCC MS 079, f. 214v (c. 1400-1425)
Luxurious miniature of a seated bishop in blue chasuble lined in red, red and gold mitre, holding a red book in his lap. Bishops throne is gold, background patterned with pink and white, framed in golden border, golden corner decorations linked with blue bars decorted with delicate white penwork. Another gold, blue and pink decorative border visible at the edges of this image.
The Parker Library, CCCC MS 079, f. 25r (c. 1400-1425)
The most elaborate Pontifical (liturgical handbook for bishops) to survive from medieval England contains gilt images of bishops at work & careful notation.
The playful initials could so easily be missed! 😛🎵🐇
CCCC MS 079, ff. 134v, 214v (c.1400-25)
parker.stanford.edu/parker/catal...
#medievalmss
20.01.2026 11:02
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Screenshot with a banner text 'The hermit's best-seller' in pink and 'The only surviving original version of one of late medieval England's most popular works of literature reveals its secrets' in white on black background and a medieval painting of two men. Below the banner is an image of Dr Glover on the right and text 'Parker Library Research Fellow reveals the secrets of one of England's most popular works of medieval literature' on the left.
Exciting news for fans of Richard Rolle of the 'The Fire of Love' fame ❤️🔥
Dr Timothy Glover, recently Parker Library Early-Career Research Fellow, has made a once-in-a-lifetime discovery that brings us closer to the beloved mystic, hermit and author Richard Rolle (d.1349)
tinyurl.com/e3266str
14.01.2026 13:52
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A circle drawn with black, red and white ink and gold-filled background presents a person in green shirt and hooded red cloak who sits in front of a large pot on a fire, while hooking a slab of meat(?) out of the pot with a claw-like tool. The toes of their left feet are uncomfortably close to the fire.
Image copied from Parker Library manuscript CCCC MS 53, f. 1v
Perfect day for stirring soups and stews in front of roaring fireplace - watch out those toes!
CCCC MS 53, f. 1v
parker.stanford.edu/parker/catal...
#medievalmss
14.01.2026 12:03
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Good night all! 😴
Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 004: The Dover Bible, Volume 2; 12th century; f.277r @parkerlibcccc.bsky.social @corpuscambridge.bsky.social
06.01.2026 22:21
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Medieval Calendar image for January, roundel with black-blue-white frame and gilded background portrays a crowned three-faced person dressed in green robe and red cape, at table, drinking and eating. Table covered in white cloth holds drink and food, including a boar's head.
The Peterborough Psalter and Bestiary, early 14th century, now CCCC MS 053, f. 1r
https://parker.stanford.edu/parker/catalog/gs233db8425
It is time to feast!
Our annual winter closure is here. We will return back for our regular hours on Monday 5 January, 2026
Parker Library On the Web will continue to fullfil your medieval manuscript desires: parker.stanford.edu/parker
CCCC MS 053, f.65r
tinyurl.com/vuyr92pt
Happy holidays!
19.12.2025 15:33
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Image: Medicinal prayers for sore eyes, sore ears and illness, in Old English, written in the margin (Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 41, p. 326)
07.11.2025 09:40
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"Amantissimo domino et patri B(artholomeo)
dei gratia exoniensi frater B(aldewinus)
fordensis monasterii"
Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 200; Baldwin of Ford OCist, De sacramento altaris; ca. 1175 - 1199; Christ Church, Canterbury; p.1 @parkerlibcccc.bsky.social @corpuscambridge.bsky.social
18.12.2025 21:23
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'Karolus magnus
pippini filius'
Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 373; Anonymous Chronicle (to 1114 CE, based on Ekkehard of Aura's Imperial Chronicle); ca. 1114 CE - 1125 CE; Germany; f.24r @parkerlibcccc.bsky.social @corpuscambridge.bsky.social
17.12.2025 21:56
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'Pippinus rex francorum
pater karoli magni'
Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 373; Anonymous Chronicle (to 1114 CE, based on Ekkehard of Aura's Imperial Chronicle); ca. 1114 CE - 1125 CE; Germany; f.14r @parkerlibcccc.bsky.social @corpuscambridge.bsky.social
17.12.2025 21:43
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A few words from MS Corpus Christi College Cambridge 198
with MATHEUS twice in rustic capital letters.
Prepping some Blickling XIX for tomorrow's Old English ms reading session from @parkerlibcccc.bsky.social CCCC 198 and just cannot get over how adorable this scribe's rustic capitals look.
His elongated Hs make me weak at the knees. 🫣
12.12.2025 20:52
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Medieval manuscript page with central text area surrounded by gilded red and blue border with frilly floral and leaf decorations.
now Cambridge, Corpus Christi College MS 257, f. 181r
Medieval manuscript page with central text area surrounded by gilded red and blue border with frilly floral and leaf decorations
now Cambridge, Corpus Christi College MS 257, f. 9r
We all need some good and proper boundaries
Here the borders surround various texts by Robert Grosseteste, Bishop of Lincoln (1235-1253) on pastoral care and the teachings of the Church
CCCC MS 257, ff. 9r and 181r
parker.stanford.edu/parker/catal...
#ManuscriptMonday
08.12.2025 13:25
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What a life!
#ElephantonFriday
Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 016II; Matthew Paris OSB, Chronica maiora II; 13th century; f.152v
@parkerlibcccc.bsky.social @corpuscambridge.bsky.social
05.12.2025 19:42
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Dragons interlaced with vines inside a stylised capital O
CCCC MS 253, f. 65r
Fully digitised: https://parker.stanford.edu/parker/catalog/dy778wn8940
Green angry dragon ith red wings surrounded by red and blue flowers and green foliage and a random gold decorative drop.
CCCC MS 91, f. 1r
Fully digitised: https://parker.stanford.edu/parker/catalog/sf288jz3772
Mother and baby sleeping with a seven headed dragon beast of apocalypse watching over them
CCCC MS 394, f. 36r
Fully digitised: https://parker.stanford.edu/parker/catalog/yc646yt3082
Stylised dragon screaming with tongue out
CCCC MS 158, f. 3r
Fully digitised: https://parker.stanford.edu/parker/catalog/sp902vq7011
So, you're a medievalist? What do you do? Study dragons and stuff?
Well....
(check the alt text for links to the source manuscripts held @parkerlibcccc.bsky.social)
28.11.2025 12:01
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Fellow Librarian | All Souls College
There is still time to apply for the position of Fellow Librarian at All Souls College Oxford (deadline is 5 December).
Read more: www.asc.ox.ac.uk/fellow-libra...
Please spread the word--this is a special opportunity!
24.11.2025 18:37
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Bearded man sitting at a sloping desk, under an arch that forms part of the capital letter A. He is dressed in an archbishop's mitre, light pink chasuble with pall, green dalmatic, and alb. Background is decorated with gold.
Image taken from Cambridge, Corpus Christi College MS 200, f. 1r that contains Baldwin of Ford's text on the Sacrament of the altar (De sacramento altaris).
Monday mood
Baldwin of Ford (d. 1190) focused on writing his text On the sacrament of the altar (De sacramento altaris)
CCCC MS 200, f. 1r (c. 1184-1190s) - fully digitised and online:
tinyurl.com/4s9v9j9t
24.11.2025 11:45
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20th November is the feast of St Edmund King and Martyr. Here his severed head crying 'hic,hic,hic' adorns the vellum repairing f.322r.
Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 002III; 'The Bury Bible'; 12th c; Bury St Edmunds Abbey; f.322r
@parkerlibcccc.bsky.social @corpuscambridge.bsky.social
20.11.2025 18:42
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A table of the Hebrew alphabet at the beginning of Lamentations
Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 048; Bible; c.1170 CE; England (St Albans); f.121r
@parkerlibcccc.bsky.social @corpuscambridge.bsky.social
13.11.2025 21:32
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📢 Delighted to announce that our Visiting Research Fellowships scheme for 2026 is now open for applications. Wonderful collections, world-class library & a brilliant @uofglasgow.bsky.social team to support you. Find out more 👇
13.11.2025 14:35
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In their own words: medical writings in Middle English – Cambridge University Library Special Collections
We're delighted to digitally contribute to @theul.bsky.social Curious Cures project
Curator James Freeman highlights some of way Middle English medical writings have survived to us:
specialcollections-blog.lib.cam.ac.uk?p=30906
One more month to catch the physcial exhibition, do not miss it!
07.11.2025 09:34
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Compare and contrast with the exquisite initial 'F'(rater) at the beginning of Jerome's letter to Paulinus in 'The Bury Bible', which is the work of Master Hugo.
Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 002I; The Bury Bible; 12th century; f.1v @parkerlibcccc.bsky.social @corpuscambridge.bsky.social
25.10.2025 20:46
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