A unique manuscript from the 14th century was discovered in a school library in England. We are talking about the only surviving complete version of “The Biography” – the spiritual treatise of the English hermit and theologian Richard Rolle. According to scientists, this discovery changes the modern understanding of medieval Christian works.
This manuscript has belonged to the old school in Shrewsbury since 1607. It was given to the book collection as a gift. For more than four centuries, it went largely unnoticed – it was cataloged but not recognized as the author's original.
The situation changed when the book fell into the hands of an expert on medieval literature from Cambridge University, Dr. Timothy Glover. His analysis showed that the manuscript was original and contained the same content as written by Roll, with no later edits.
In total, more than 120 Biographies are known, but all are abridged or adapted versions. Cambridge scholars have called Shrewsbury's book “invaluable.” They say it provides “a rare insight into Rolle's working methods, the structure of his spiritual thinking and the personalities of his first readers.”
Comparing the full text with future copies will reveal which passages have been shortened or changed. Scientists will be able to understand how medieval scribes reworked spiritual works for different audiences: monks, laity, representatives of various religious movements, Arkeonews reports.
It was previously known that a Roman altar and prehistoric artifacts were found under the British Parliament building. The excavations were carried out by representatives of the Museum of London Archeology on behalf of the Houses of Parliament Restoration and Renewal Programme.
