Rylands Medieval collection
In this page:
The Special Collections Division of the The John Rylands University Library, The University of Manchester, holds outstanding collections of rare books, manuscripts and archives from the Middle Ages. Our Medieval Collection contains complete works of paramount importance in a variety of key subject areas, including History, Theology, Art, Literature, Language, and the History of Science and Medicine.
The basis of the collection is In the Bigynnyng, a project started in October 2008, to digitise and describe our collection of over forty Middle English manuscripts. The collection illustrates progress so far, including a medieval cookery book, a copy of The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, several copies of the Wycliffe Bible and a richly illuminated copy of John Lydgate's poem The Siege of Troy.
We acknowledge the generosity of the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) who provided the funding to digitise the Middle English manuscripts.
How to view
There are two ways to search and view the images. To find out which way suits you best please consult also our Introduction to Rylands Genizah.
Using LUNA
- The new entirely web-based viewer which does not require a plugin or other download
- Best for most collection users
- No username/password required for most University of Manchester collections
- Browse or search for images, bookmark them, share the URL
- Use a web widget to embed images from LUNA in other applications
Using insight JVA client viewer
- Provides some additional functionality for viewing insight collections
- Suitable for advanced users
- The collection is available to everyone but requires a username and password.
Use the username 'uman' and password 'est1824' unless JRUL, your Faculty or School has provided an alternative. - Requires client software to be available on your PC or Mac
Possible access methods for the JVA client viewer
A. Already installed on most public computers in The University of Manchester. From the Start bar double-click 'Luna insight' from the 'Library & Information' group of core programs, enter the username uman password est1824 (unless you have been provided with an alternative) and choose the collection you want to search.
B. Install the client software (versions are available for Windows or Macintosh) on your own computer.
Copyright and obtaining copies
The John Rylands University Library [JRUL], The University of Manchester, retains the copyright and publication rights for all images in this collection, unless otherwise stated in the data accompanying individual images.
You may use the images for private study without seeking permission. You may also use the images for strictly educational purposes (e.g. in MSPowerPoint presentations or in student handouts) without the need to obtain permission. However, in such cases you must acknowledge JRUL in this way: "Reproduced by courtesy of the University Librarian and Director, The John Rylands University Library, The University of Manchester".
For all other uses you must obtain permission from JRUL if you wish to reproduce images from the collection. Depending on the type of use you may be required to pay a reproduction fee. To apply for permission to reproduce images from our collections please complete and submit the Application for form.
We have attempted to ensure that copyright and intellectual property rights have been cleared for all items in this collection. If you believe you have a claim to rights on one of the images and do not wish it to be published in this way, please contact us .
Prints or high resolution copies of the images are available from the on payment of a fee. If you then wish to reproduce the image(s) you must complete and submit the Application for form.