There are many fascinating treasures in New College Library, but MS 266 has to be one of the greatest. An early fifteenth century manuscript of Gower's Confessio Amantis, it is one of only 49 surviving copies of this important early work of English literature, anywhere in the world.

Watch to discover more about this fascinating book and its history you'll see beautiful decoration, shocking vandalism, and a rather botched repair job!

Music Credits: George Frideric Handel, ‘As pants the Hart’, Chandos Anthem No. 6, HWV 251b. Sung by the Choir of New College, Oxford, directed by Robert Quinney. Music copyright: Catherine Clover 2017

#Manuscript #Gower #Medieval