Paul Russell, Professor of Celtic at the University of Cambridge, and Secretary of Seminar Cyfraith Hywel, acted as our academic advisor in the purchase and restoration of the Boston Manuscript of Welsh law in 2012. He inspected the manuscript at Sotheby’s before purchase, and attended the dis-binding of the volume at the Library last Autumn. His role has been that of the volume’s ‘advocate’, ensuring that we did not threaten its long-term interests in any way.
It was with some trepidation that we showed him the results of our endeavours here last week, and asked him to handle the original manuscript in its new, re-bound guise. We also showed him the three new facsimile copies, which are to be extensively used for exhibition and education purposes (one of which is paid for by the Friends of the National Library).
Professor Russell said: ‘The manuscript looks far happier than when we first saw it at Sotheby’s in June 2012. It has been well looked after, and immaculately repaired. It clearly enjoys its new environment.’
On seeing the copies, he said: ‘The facsimiles are worryingly identical! The teaching version is a masterpiece, and will give students far greater understanding of how a medieval manuscript was created.’
Professor Russell concluded his inspection by ‘signing off’ the original manuscript: he took the curatorial role of writing the volume’s new shelf-number, in pencil, and with great care, on the first fly-leaf.
Today (5 August), digital images of the Boston Manuscript will appear online, enabling greater access to the contents than ever before. One facsimile will be appearing at the Whitland Hywel Dda Centre at the beginning of October, and the original manuscript will be on display in our 4 Books exhibition here at the National Library on 12 October.
As ever, we are grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Friends of the National Libraries and the Welsh Government for making it all possible!
Maredudd ap Huw