This is the first time the medieval Latin manuscripts in the library of the National University of Ireland Maynooth have been published. In that sense this is an exploration ‘in the unknown’, and makes a valuable contribution to knowledge of the collections of medieval manuscripts in Ireland: now fully and comprehensively presented, and with a generously illustrated volume to be proud of, the Maynooth Latin manuscripts, which date from the eleventh to the sixteenth century, are on the map.
The introduction to the catalogue includes a brief history of the college from its origins as a Catholic seminary in 1795. The acquisition of medieval manuscripts may have begun with five manuscripts from the monastic library of Saint Jacques in Liège, which probably came to Maynooth early in its history. These five retain their Liège bindings of the 1720s: ‘They seem to be much as they must have been when sold from St Jacques in 1788, and this state of preservation is a bonus’ (p 19). From then on, it seems that manuscripts were simply acquired: given or bought. There is no evident policy behind the creation of this collection, but they add substantially to the riches of the University Library.
As the authors make clear, this book is new work, investigating a group of ‘virgin manuscripts’ (p xv). As such, the focus has been on diligent description, each manuscript treated individually. The catalogue is grouped into six sections: the five manuscripts from Liège, six liturgical and devotional manuscripts from various origins (one of which is a printed book with hand-coloured illuminations), two manuscripts including canon law and biblical commentary, one bible, one benedictional and a fair copy of a Venetian commission from the Doge to his Captain of the Gulf, Nicolò da Pesaro. In addition, there are three single illuminated leaves, probably acquired in the mid-twentieth century. The authors have also listed binding fragments from sixteen printed books, cut-out parchment from medieval books, used to strengthen the binding.
To catalogue such a random group of works as a collection is tricky. The decision to describe each individually provides much codicological detail, invaluable to scholars. What proved more difficult was to create an easy-to-reference guide to the collection, to provide an overview of what is interesting and unusual. While the detail in the catalogue descriptions is invaluable, the authors do not use the Introduction to make links and discuss what these manuscripts reveal about medieval Latin book culture, about the intriguing process of formation of this collection, or what can be learnt from continued purchasing: the three single leaves were not acquired until the mid-twentieth century. It is not clear how these manuscripts are used within the current University Library, which might explain the way this book is designed to be used by library readers or external scholars. And it is not clear how the level of detail in the apparatus, perhaps particularly the Index of Incipits, contributes to the understanding of the diverse manuscripts or to these as a group.
Despite these frustrations, what is clear is that the manuscripts at Maynooth are well worth further study, and that this book presents the material for further research. Any opportunity to work on this collection in the Pugin building in which it is housed should surely be taken, with enthusiasm.
