Limbourg Brothers
Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry - Fevrier
illuminated manuscript
c.1412 - 1416
MS 65 Musée Condé, Chantilly
Primary Sources
While many buildings on campus are clearly inspired by medieval forebears, they remain contemporary interpretations--the real thing is obviously not possible. Fortunately, much that is medieval remains in manuscript form, available here in the library and, increasingly, in online digital facsimiles.
Special Collections in Deering Library has several manuscripts and musical scores available. There is an unfortunate misconception that items in Special Collections are somehow reserved for "serious scholars," e.g. faculty, grad students, research assistants, etc. While many of the items are, indeed, rare and valuable, the truth is that they are available to ALL members of the Northwestern community. Primary source materials have the advantage of having been there--they are direct links to people, places and events that have shaped history, and are yours for the asking.
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Sancti Gregorii magni Romani pontificis Moralium libri, sive, Expositio in librum B. Job byCall Number: Special Collections Manuscript Leaf 6Publication Date: c.9??One complete and two partial leaves from Moralia in Job including sections from books 26 and 27.
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Horae Beatae Mariae Virginis byCall Number: Special Collections Manuscript 44Publication Date: c.1450A medieval Book of Hours
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Pro celebrāt 1594.Call Number: Special Collections Manuscript 20Publication Date: c.1400The Penitential Psalms followed by 1 p. of excerpts from the Requiem and 1 p. of excerpts from the Office of the Dead.
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Digitised Manuscripts at the British LibraryMedieval Manuscripts
Many of our most important medieval manuscripts are being digitized and added to the website on an ongoing basis, as part of the Library’s commitment to the preservation and conservation of these manuscripts, and to providing access to all who would like to do research on them. -
GallicaThe digital extension of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Gallica has almost 5 million documents online. Using the Advanced Search function, select "Manuscripts" and an appropriate date range.
Or, choose Selections>Manuscripts at the top of the page -
DMMappThe DMMapp (Digitized Medieval Manuscripts App) links to more than 500 libraries in the world. Each one of these contains medieval manuscripts that can be browsed for free.
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Medieval Manuscripts on the WebThis site is intended to offer quick access to various digitization projects on the web: clicking the project title will take you directly there. Listings are alphabetical by country, then city, and then by originating institution.