The preservation and digitisation of the Library’s medieval manuscripts has been made possible through the generous support of donors to the 2014 annual appeal.

The Library’s medieval manuscripts comprise more than 6000 individual folios in 250 items and 12 bound volumes, dispersed across several collections. The bulk were acquired from two sources: ten volumes from the library of the 11th Baron Clifford of Chudleigh, and a large group of legal documents and fragments from manuscripts of theological, biblical, musico-liturgical and literary works from Sir Rex Nan Kivell, collected for his Calligraphy Collection.

Explore our medieval collections

Collection highlights

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Gems of History

The National Library of Australia acknowledges Australia’s First Nations Peoples – the First Australians – as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land and gives respect to the Elders – past and present – and through them to all Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Cultural Notification

Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website contains a range of material which may be considered culturally sensitive including the records of people who have passed away.

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