Manuscript Fragments

MS FRAG

Manuscript Fragments

300-1600

Fragments of medieval and early modern manuscripts, primarily leaves from liturgical texts including missals, breviaries, psalters, bibles and biblical commentaries, but also including fragments of popular medieval textbooks including the Codex Justinianus and Graecismus. Also includes fragments of medieval music including noted missals, antiphonaries, graduals and noted breviaries. The music section includes fragments from two incunabula.

Arranged according to language, with a separate section for fragments with musical notation.

See also MS DEEDS and PRINT FRAG for related manuscript records and fragments of early printed books.

Not Public Record(s)

Latin Greek Hebrew or Aramaic French English German Dutch

c150 items

Certain restrictions apply. This collection is currently undergoing conservation treatment and some items may not be available for immediate consultation. Please enquire for details.

Many of the fragments were purchased by Professor Robert Priebsch (Professor of German at University College London, 1898-1931) at a sale in Bonn in 1921(?) in order to give students practical experience of palaeography. It is not known precisely how many were purchased by him, but a collection of around 150 items has been accrued. The item MS/FRAG/LAT/30 was found with a note (in German) about a collection of manuscript fragments which were bought in 1922 and accessioned as no.23174, which may be Priebsch's original purchase. The note describes a palaeographical album containing 35 fragments in Spanish, Old French, Latin and German, some with musical notation.

• Dorothy K. Coveney, "A Descriptive Catalogue of Manuscripts in the Library of University College, London" (London: University of London, 1935)
• Kathryn Kendall, "Fragments of mediaeval text-books in the Library of University College London";

Fragments of medieval and early modern manuscripts on parchment can commonly be found inside the binding of printed works. This method of recycling was a common practice between the medieval period and the 17th century, when manuscripts superseded by printed editions were sold to printers and bookbinders. Medieval manuscripts are often visually appealing and parchment was robust but expensive, so folios from manuscripts were recycled for use as decorative covers and endpapers or to reinforce the binding of new printed works.