Julian Harrison, Lead Curator of Medieval Historical and Literary Manuscripts, writes: The British Library is delighted to have acquired an important medieval manuscript, with the generous assistance of the Friends of the National Libraries. Made around the year 1500, this manuscript contains the most complete collection of the works of Lewis of Caerleon, an astronomer and physician to the household of King Henry VII of England. Loyal to the Tudor cause, Lewis had been imprisoned in the Tower of London by Richard III. This manuscript includes his astronomical observations, some of which were made from the Tower itself.
The manuscript came to the British Library’s attention when a case was brought before the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art in March 2020. Acting on expert advice, Caroline Dinenage, Minister of State for Digital and Culture, placed a temporary ban on the export of this item, on the grounds that it was of high national significance. This enabled the Library to raise the matching funding to purchase it on behalf of the nation, although the process was more complicated than usual, due to the constraints of the first national lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic. On this occasion, we were unable, for example, to apply to the National Heritage Memorial Fund, as would usually have been the case, as their funds were being reallocated to support institutions in financial difficulties. We are extremely grateful that so many public and private funders came to our assistance at this period, allowing us to meet the fundraising target with weeks to spare.
The Lewis of Caerleon manuscript had been in private hands ever since it was made. The first recorded owner was the historian and antiquary Sir Henry Spelman (d. 1641), and it had eventually made its way into the collection of the Earls of Macclesfield at Shirburn Castle. Until now, the manuscript had not been accessible to researchers, many of whom were unaware of its existence. It was evidently produced as a presentation copy for some important patron or institution, and it is notable for containing texts by Lewis of Caerleon that are not attested elsewhere. The manuscript also survives in its original medieval binding, and is an excellent example of manuscript production from the early Tudor period.
Lewis of Caerleon is one of the most important astronomers from late medieval England. His works were indebted to his study of earlier Arabic texts, and he bridges the gap between medieval English science and his early modern successors. The Library has already digitised the manuscript, and it will become available to readers when conditions permit. Many researchers have already expressed an interest in examining the manuscript in more detail, and it is already being used to support a project at Cambridge University investigating Lewis of Caerleon’s works and career.
