A "MORTE DARTHUR" MANUSCRIPT

DISCOVERY AT WINCHESTER

A party of the Friends of the National Libraries visited Winchester on Saturday and was conducted round the College Library by Sir Frederic Kenyon, chairman of the F.N.L. and a Fellow of the College.

There have been until recently two libraries at Winchester: the Fellows' Library, containing manuscripts going back to the gifts of William of Wykeham, many valuable incunabula, and other old books; and Moberly Library, a more modern collection open to men in the school. Both collections are in the process of being rehoused in a new and commodious library in what, from the fourteenth century until 40 years ago, was the college brewery. The reconstruction of this building has been completed to the designs of Sir Herbert Baker, the architect of the College War Memorial.

During the recataloguing of the book in connexion with the removal to their new home, at least one important manuscript has been discovered. Malory's "Morte Darthur" has hitherto only been known to exist in printed form, the earliest edition being Caxton's, of circa 1486. The previous history of the work has always presented something of a mystery. But among the fifteenth-century manuscripts in the Fellows' Library is one of the "Morte Darthur," which, though it has only been cursorily examined since its recognition a week or two ago, is believed to exhibit considerable variants from the text which Caxton printed. It is hoped that a full collation of this manuscript may shortly be undertaken.

In connexion with the Eton and Winchester match, at Winchester, at the end of this week, a special exhibition will be held in the library of modern finely printed books, including the productions of several private presses.

Among those present on the visit of the Friends of the National Libraries were: -

Mr. R.A. Austen-Leigh, Mr. Edward Carter, Mr. and Mrs. Graily Hewitt, Mr. E.H.W. Myerstein, and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Williams.

[The Times (London), Tuesday June 26, 1934]