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12
Nov

Medieval Manuscripts of the National Library of the Czech Republic

More than four dozen digitised medieval manuscripts can be subdivided into several smaller thematically homogeneous groups. The first includes Czech-language Biblical manuscripts (six volumes under the shelf mark XVII, all from the 15th century). Liturgical manuscripts are represented by codices from St George’s Benedictine Monastery at Prague Castle (the manuscript XII D 11 was written upon the order of the abbess Kunigunde at the beginning of the 14th century; others comprise e.g. XII E 1, XIII C 1b, XIV D 21), but also from other monasteries (XIII C 11 from the Convent of the Poor Clares in Český Krumlov; Břevnov breviaries VI G 11 and XII A 22). Hagiographic literature is mainly represented by several manuscripts of Legenda Aurea by Jacobus de Voragine (XII D 19, XII E 14 and XIII B 11). Collections of sermons are likewise numerous – both by Czech authors (Tomášek of Strakonice, XII E 7a) and e.g. written on the commission of Czech monasteries (sermons of Bertrand de Turre in the manuscript XII D 6, which was ordered by the Chotěšov provost Petr I.). Most of the other codices contain theological literature, but one can also find works on grammar, law, natural sciences, a collection of liturgical formulae by Pietro della Vigna, etc.

12
Nov

The National Library Sheet Music

The newly digitised items from the collections of the Music Department of the National Library of the CR comprise 32 manuscripts and printed items. They mostly include handwritten copies of short scores from the collection of Josef Cyril Strachota, composed by W. A. Mozart, V. Pichl, F. X. Pokorný and J. L. Oehlschlägel. A longer manuscript is placed under the shelf mark XVI H 8 – it contains compositions collected by Franz Eduard Tuna, partly his own works. The printed items come from the 16th and 17th centuries and include collections of polyphonic compositions.

15
Oct

Codices from the Research Library in Olomouc

The Research Library in Olomouc has enriched its group of digitised manuscripts by another two. They were both made in the second half of the 15th century: the Cistercian missal M II 82 is written on parchment and decorated with drawn figural and ornamental initials; the New Testament M I 240 is made of paper.

15
Oct

A Hymnal from the Town Museum and Gallery Polička

The Town Museum and Gallery Polička digitised in 2015 the hymnal Evangelical Spiritual Songs, printed in the printing house of the Unity of the Brethren in Ivančice in 1572. Apart from its textual content, the book is also interesting for its illuminations: the vacant space of some folios has been complemented by scenes with figures, flowers or floral motifs; bigger initials and decorative page frames are coloured and gilded.

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