Virtual Manuscript Library of Switzerland
If learning from old manuscripts is of interest to you, then here is a link you will definitely want to explore.
The Virtual Manuscript Library of Switzerland contains 482 manuscripts (at the time of this writing), with more being added.
You'll see the actual pages of the manuscripts. What is really neat is that you can enlarge the size of the pages so that you can clearly see the details. So if you want to research old manuscripts, this is a fabulous resource to work with.
I've only explored part of the collection at this point, but what a feast of lettering styles, decorated and illuminated capitals, miniatures, artwork and more!
I'm not sure what the earliest example is, but I do remember seeing one from the eighth century.
You'll find Latin texts, German, Greek, Hebrew, French, English and more.
The works include:
- Bibles
- Poetry
- Songbooks
- Clerical Calendars
- Records of Expenditures
- A Catalogue of Miracles
- Legends of the Saints
- Psalters
- Prayer books
- Grammer Textbooks
- A Training Manual for Oratory
- Exemplars
- The Life of Alexander the Great
- Chaucer's Canterbury Tales
- The stories of King Arthur
- Dante's Divine Comedy
- Medicinal and other recipes
- Commentaries
- Heraldic Devices
- Speeches
- Sermons
- Constitutions
- Book of Hours
- Monastery records
- History Books
- Works on Astronomy, pharmaceutiacals, etc
- Law books
- Romances
- Catalogues of properties & land holdings
- And much, much more.
So go ahead and check out this treasure at Virtual Manuscript Library of Switzerland. Just be advised - once you get started on this, you could be there for hours!
Later Note: Man, I should have put WARNING! in big letters instead of "just be advised"! This place can really become addictive. Some of these manuscripts are absolutely amazing. You'll find yourself saying wow, gorgeous, beautiful, neat, lovely, amazing, fabulous, wonderful, and anything else along those lines. And just when you think you've seen it all, you'll come across another letter that will be jaw-dropping fantastic.
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