Codex Manchester

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ommentaries to the Apocalypse of Saint John written by Beato de Liébana, the private Asturian monk to Queen Osinda, the daughter of Alfonso I, in approximately 786.

Beato wrote a liturgical hymn dedicated to King Maragato, Silo´s successor and Osinda´s brother, in which he invokes the Apostle Saint James as leader of Spain, so beginning the belief that the Apostle evangelised the peninsula, and starting the pilgrimages to Compostela ans, as a result, the "Camino de Santiago" (Road to Santiago).

It was illustrated in several monasteries during the Xth, XIth and XIIth centuries; they are "deluxe" copies only available for kings and magnates.

"Codex Manchester" (XIIth century) was sold at an auction last century in Paris with some other books from the Marquis of Astorga and Count of Altamira´s collection. Since 1901 it has been kept in the "John Rylands Library", Manchester.

Characteristics:

• It is well preserved, and is a codex of large dimensions, 450x315 mm.
• It has 502 pages, and is written in Caroline letter. It has 120 beautiful full-page miniatures, all in gold leaf.
• It has a very close stylistic relationship (estilemas, columns and capitals, shape of the folds, ...) with the "Beato de Cardeña" (refer to our catalogue), for which it served as a model.
• Hand-bound in leather over board.
• Unique edition limited to 999 copies, numbered and authenticated by public notary.

Scientific study made by the best specialists in this area:

• D. Peter J. Klein
  (Iconography).
• D. Francisco M. Gimeno Blay
  (Palaeography).

A Documentation Kit containing 1 sample page, in the original size, from Codex Manchester is available for$US75-.

An Art Book is also available for $US210-.

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