Royal New Testament Manuscript on Brink of Leaving UK
A rare New Testament manuscript once owned by English royalty in the 14th and 15th centuries is at risk of slipping out of the UK unless a British buyer steps up. Valued at £800,000, this stunning medieval relic has remained hidden in private hands for over 300 years, keeping scholars in the dark—until now.
Signed by a French King Captured in Battle
The manuscript is no ordinary Bible. It boasts the signature of Jean II ‘le Bon’, King of France from 1350 to 1364, who clashed with England during the brutal Hundred Years’ War. Experts believe it was seized as war loot at the famous Battle of Poitiers in 1356, when the English Black Prince captured the French king and his possessions. The book, containing one of the earliest French translations of the New Testament, has been in England ever since.
Owned by England’s Medieval Royals
Ownership marks inside reveal a fascinating royal trail. The manuscript belonged to heavyweight figures such as Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester—son of King Henry IV and one of medieval England’s top book collectors. It also passed through the hands of Humphrey’s elder brother Thomas, Duke of Clarence, and Edmund Beaufort, 2nd Duke of Somerset. Decorated with exquisite illuminations, the manuscript likely played a role in Lancastrian propaganda, backing their claim to the French crown during turbulent times.
Hidden Secrets and Urgent Call to Keep it in Britain
Under ultraviolet light, experts uncovered erased inscriptions hinting at even more royal connections yet to be decoded. Arts and Heritage Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay called the manuscript “an exciting opportunity for scholarship” and a “great reminder of the long impact French culture has had on Britain.”
“I hope that a buyer comes forward to make sure it can continue to be researched and its revelations shared with generations to come,” said Lord Parkinson.
Committee Member Caroline Shenton described the manuscript as a “national treasure” with exceptional importance for understanding medieval royal politics and diplomacy during the Hundred Years’ War.
“Only 47 of Duke Humphrey’s original 500-volume library survive. Now, a 48th has come to light,” she revealed. “This jaw-dropping manuscript still has so much to tell us about its story and its owners.”
Time Ticking to Keep Priceless Artefact in UK
The government has placed a temporary export ban on the manuscript, deferring license approval until 7 February 2024. That gives UK institutions a chance to match the £800,000 asking price. A second deferral period of four months may follow if an Option Agreement is signed.
Public bodies may also make offers below the recommended price, with financial incentives available to help secure this extraordinary piece of British history.
If no UK buyer emerges, this royal relic could be lost overseas—taking a vital piece of England’s medieval past with it.
