U of T acquires rare 14th century manuscript
The Travels of Sir John Mandeville was a medieval “blockbuster” widely read across Europe.
A partial copy of the medieval travel memoir The Travels of Sir John Mandeville has been acquired by the University of Toronto and is now part of the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library’s collection. The manuscript — written in Anglo-French, was likely penned in the mid-1330’s —making it the earliest surviving version of the text.
“It could be one of the most important, if not the most important European manuscript in the collections of the university,” said professor
Sebastian Sobecki who led the effort. The text is a medieval “blockbuster” and is an amalgamation of travelogues describing sometimes romanticized encounters with fantastical beasts and faraway places such as India and the Middle East. It is considered fiction and is likely written under one of the first pseudonyms.
While there are around 300 surviving manuscripts of Mandeville’s Travels, U of T researchers and students will be among the first to study this specific manuscript as it was previously held in the Duke of Manchester’s private collection.
An unusual aspect of the text – which is taught in literature, medieval studies and history courses – is its secularism. “This is the first time we have a non-specialist, not a theologian, really engaging with other faiths,” said Dr. Sobecki, making it “revolutionary in a way.”
Bringing students to the artefact could be one way of “opening up the Middle Ages” and capturing the imagination of U of T’s diverse student body as the author did with thousands across Europe nearly 700 years ago. “Because even our modern, current engagement with one another is still grounded in a lot of historical ideas.”
Featured Jobs
- Politics and Public Administration - Assistant Professor (Public Policy)Toronto Metropolitan University
- Fashion - Instructional Assistant/Associate Professor (Creative & Cultural Industries)Chapman University - Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
- Vice-President Research & Scientific EngagementMS Canada
- Public Policy - JW McConnell Visiting ScholarMcGill University
- Economics - Associate/Full Professor of TeachingThe University of British Columbia
More from News
-
Headlines for December 4, 2024
CNW NewsFederal government establishes council to deliver Canada's first National Infrastructure AssessmentSean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada, announced the new Canadian Infrastructure Council, an expert advisory body that will deliver the country's first-ever National...
-
New life for Dimensions
A little over a year after the program was quietly shut down, it has been quietly revived.
-
Headlines for December 3, 2024
National PostOpinion: Universities need to focus on education if they hope to stem their financial decline The ideological capture of universities has prevented them from getting the support they need to secure adequate public funding. Calgary JournalDemonstrators and...
-
Headlines for December 2, 2024
CBC News'No consequences' for violating human rights in privately funded research in Canada, says ethics expertRoughly 85 per cent of clinical trials in Canada are privately funded. CBC News'I miss our land a lot': Inuit students studying...
More from Campus news
-
UPEI implementation plan is underway
There is ‘an overwhelming desire of the community to move forward,’ says new president Wendy Rodgers.
-
Nipissing hosts inaugural fundraising gala
The goal of the gala was to raise money for the Student Support Fund, which provides emergency financial support to students.
-
Canada’s largest student-run fashion show demonstrates the power of university clubs
Queen’s students from all disciplines come together to showcase their creative talents and raise money for charity.
-
Maya Turner makes history in Canadian university football
Former soccer player kicks down barriers.
More from Articles
-
Take part in UA’s gender equity survey
Help promote strategies towards meaningful change.
-
Engaging the public in sidewalk astronomy
The #popscope project energizes public spaces through experiential, free-choice learning.
-
New zine developed by OCAD U students helps artists perfect the art of tabling
‘The goal was to create something both practical and visually engaging,’ says one of the creators.
-
Quebec universities concerned about losing their autonomy
Ottawa has tightened the belt on international student admissions in Canada. Now Quebec wants to implement further changes, but universities are worried the Legault government might go too far.
Post a comment
University Affairs moderates all comments according to the following guidelines. If approved, comments generally appear within one business day. We may republish particularly insightful remarks in our print edition or elsewhere.