These pages aim to act as a starting point for English Language students exploring the rich holdings of medieval manuscripts held by Glasgow University Library. They are specifically aimed at participants of Paper 4b (Reading the past: from script to print) and Paper 13 (Late Medieval English Literature). A sample of digitised images from some (and more) of the books discussed in seminars held in Special Collections examining the originals is provided, along with links to other relevant resources. From the samples available, it should be possible for students to make informed decisions about which of the manuscripts they might wish to explore further. 

Students are encouraged to visit Special Collections to study this material in person should they wish to conduct research in writing essays/projects/dissertations. However, please note that for preservation purposes access to some of these manuscripts is allowed only by permission of the Keeper of Special Collections, David Weston, to whom applications (by email or letter) for permission to consult the manuscripts should be addresssed. Those manuscripts which fall into this restricted category are clearly marked in these pages. For further general advice about using the collections, please contact Julie Gardham.

English Language Manuscripts pages created by Julie Gardham: December 2003; updated December 2005