LEEDS - 5 December 2007 - 370 words
Leeds: medieval treasure from Stonyhurst unveiled at new exhibition
A medieval manuscript kept at Stonyhurst since 1837 is the centrepiece of a major new exhibition at Leeds Armouries.
The beautifully illustrated copy of the Chronicles of John Froissart, a lively and well-informed account of the Hundred Years War, is taking pride of place in a specially designed 'treasury' during the exhibition which opens on Saturday.
Visitors can explore the Froissart illustrations in vivid detail, and follow through a theme or story in the Chronicles, using interactive touch screens. Six 'virtual' manuscripts, photographed at very high resolution, and never seen together before, have been created especially for this exhibition.
'The Chronicles of Froissart: from conflict to co-operation' offers a unique view of the Hundred Years War between England and France and also demonstrates modern day international collaboration between the UK, France and Belgium, the Royal Armouries Museum, the University of Sheffield and four major European libraries.
Stonyhurst acquired the Chronicles of Froissart in 1837 when benefactor James Arundell, 10th Baron Wardour, bequeathed his substantial library to the College.
The precious book had been in his family for over four hundred years, brought back from the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 by his ancestor Sir John Arundell, a famous soldier in his day.
Jan Graffius, Stonyhurst Curator, said: "The Froissart Chronicles are exquisitely illustrated and provide an important contemporary view of the thoughts and views of some of the people who lived through the turbulent war-torn years of the 14th century.
"We are delighted to be able to share their contents with a wider audience. Our manuscript is just about contemporary with Froissart himself, and its lavish illumination and gold leaf decoration proves that it must have been a very valuable possession."
The exhibition also features medieval arms and weapons, including some rare pieces never publicly displayed before, and explains how to make a manuscript and how people wrote in the Middle Ages.
It will run for four months and will be open from 10am-4pm daily. Entry is free and events will include workshops on manuscript illumination, illustrated talks by curators and invited speakers and medieval music concerts.
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