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Trinity College Library, Cambridge

@trincolllibcam.bsky.social
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The Trinity College Library in Cambridge comprises the modern student library, the Wren Library, and significant rare books, manuscript and archive collections. www.trin.cam.ac.uk/library/home trinitycollegelibrarycambridge.word…

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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 8h
"I lose in them my instant of brief ills. There is great easing of the heart, and cumulance of comfort on high hills." Geoffrey Winthrop Young, poet, author and mountaineer features in the current exhibition - Higher Education, Trinity in the Mountains. #nationalpoetryday #mountaineering
Black and white photograph of a man sitting on a rocky overhang with text Higher Education Trinity in the mountains.Text and on black and white photograph of a mountain side- 

Only a hill, but all of life to me’. 
When poet, mountaineer and Trinity College 
student Geoffrey Winthrop Young published these 
lines in 1909, he captured a spirit of vertical 
ambition and elevated joy which, in one
form or another, has pervaded Trinity’s five 
centuries of history. From the likes of John 
Ray, Isaac Newton and Adam Sedgwick, 
who viewed mountains as theological 
and scientific sites of wonder and 
experiment, via the dizzyingly sublime
poetic peaks of Lord Byron, to the 
pioneering mountaineers of the 
modern age, this exhibition 
explores how Trinity members 
have repeatedly sought out 
alternative forms of higher 
education, whether atop the 
roofs and spires of lowland 
Cambridge itself or upon 
the lofty heights of the Alps, 
Andes and Himalaya 
far beyond
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Exhibition News! Trinity In the Mountains, A Higher Education, celebrates the rich history of climbing and literature of mountains among Trinity members from the 17th c to the present day. Open to visitors 12pm-2pm Monday to Friday, free entry. www.trin.cam.ac.uk/library/visi... #cambridge #climbing
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Alpine Club Library @alpineclublib.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
We're very excited to be going to the opening of @trincolllibcam.bsky.social Trinity Mountaineers exhibition this evening! Had the privilege of a sneak peak at the preperations a few weeks ago when delivering some loan items! #MountaineeringHistory #NightClimbing #Mountaineering
Photograph of the back of a painting with a photo of two men standing on itScrapbook open to a photo of a climber and a photograph of an alpine mountain rangeThe head of an ice axeA selection of books relating to night climbing in cambridge
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Interested in learninging about 3500 years of sheeppox history hidden within our oldest medieval manuscript?? Then today is your lucky day! 🐑🐑🐑🔗https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aeh3571
An image of a manuscript page, Trinity College Library MS B.10.5, f. 10r. https://mss-cat.trin.cam.ac.uk/Manuscript/B.10.5/UV Figure from scientific study on Sheeppox.
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Rory Naismith @rorynaismith.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Early medievalists may be happy to know that Simon Keynes’s collection of maps of Anglo-Saxon England has now been made freely available via @trincolllibcam.bsky.social These were commissioned by Simon and drawn (by hand) by Reg Piggott between 1991 and 2012. archives.trin.cam.ac.uk/index.php/ma...
archives.trin.cam.ac.uk
Maps of Anglo-Saxon England - archives.trin.cam.ac.uk
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
To mark #Internationalliteracyday here is a horn book from the collection. They were used to teach the alphabet to children. This one shows a fragment of the Lords Prayer. Read more about it on the blog: trinitycollegelibrarycambridge.wordpress.com/2017/04/24/a...
A wooden board with a thin handle at the bottom showing a fragment of text with a thin layer of horn nailed over the top.
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Dr Anna Clark @drannaclark.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
“Reason is the life of the law…” Sir Edward Coke, great English jurist, Lord Chief Justice, High Steward of University of Cambridge; died #OTD 1634; revived interest in Magna Carta, drafted Petition of Right (granted Royal Assent 1628). Portrait Trinity College Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Fancy a trip round Anglo Saxon England? A wonderful collection of hand drawn maps have been digitised and are available here:https://archives.trin.cam.ac.uk/index.php/maps-of-anglo-saxon-england #anglosaxon #maps #england
A detailed map of England and Wales showing Anglo Saxon place names.
Drawn by and in black ink.
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Anne McLaughlin @admclaughlin.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
When you decide to open the oddly-shaped box a colleague dropped at your desk last night….🤩
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Dr Anna Clark @drannaclark.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
”…that which we are, we are; One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.” Ulysses, composed 1833, by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Poet Laureate, born #OTD 1809. Trinity College Cambridge Chapel @trincolllibcam.bsky.social
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Belated Happy Birthday to M.R.James (born 1 August 1862) who catalogued many of the medieval manuscripts in the Wren Library completing the 3rd vol in 1902. His work still forms the back bone of our catalogue records today. Read the annotated copies online here: mise.stanford.edu/workspaces/6...
Black and white portrait photograph of a man wearing a dark suit with a collar and tie with small round glasses.
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Dr Anna Clark @drannaclark.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
The Wren Library, Trinity College Cambridge, designed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1676, completed in 1695; interior with distinctive limewood carvings by ‘The King’s Carver’ Grinling Gibbons, Dutch sculptor who died in London #OTD 1721; buried at St Paul’s Covent Garden. @trincolllibcam.bsky.social
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University of Cambridge @cam.ac.uk · 21/07/2026
Cambridge University and Trinity College have launched a global hunt for a new Professor of Sustainability 🌍 The Hatton Professorship of Sustainability will be advertised this summer, with the successful candidate starting in the academic year 2026/27. Find out more: bit.ly/4weOeVh
Photograph of the Wren Library, Trinity College
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
Library News! We have two new displays in the Wren Library for visitors to explore. Written and curated by our Archives Trainee and our Library Trainee. If you are interested in the history of psychical research or the hidden lives of the wives of the masters pop in, 12-2pm Mon-Fri. Free entry
An exhibition poster featuring a painted portrait of a young woman in a corseted white silk dress sitting on a high backed carved chair in front of a shelves of books. Title text reads  'The most perfect mistress: The wives of the Masters of Trinity College. Wren Library, Monday to Friday 12:00-14:00.An exhibition poster showing two young men in the shadows of a sepia photograph with a ghostly white figure between them and text title Haunted Histories, Trinity and the search for life after death, 1850-1950
Wren Library, Monday to Friday 12:00-14:00.
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
We recently contributed a photograph from our archives to @bankofengland.bsky.social blog post celebrating 80 years since the return to public ownership. Read about it here:https://bankunderground.co.uk/2026/05/28/a-balancing-act-in-public-ownership-the-quiet-legacy-of-the-bank-of-england-act-1946/
A black and white portrait photograph of mature couple standing behind a gate with a house in the background.  She is dressing in a knitted cardigan and blouse and he is wearing a striped suit.
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
We're a little late with the date on this, but recently found in a 1677 copy of 'The commentaries of C. Julius Cæsar' on a fly sheet an inscription describing a great hail storm on 3rd July 1719 in Bilston, Staffordshire. A little ice would be a welcome change here today. #rarebooks #libraries
Inscription on a page in loopy hand writing about a hail storm with stones larger than 6 inches.
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
It was a pleasure to see you!
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
To mark #bloomsday have a look at our blog written in 2022 to mark the centenary of Joyce's Ulysses. trinitycollegelibrarycambridge.wordpress.com/2022/02/11/u...
trinitycollegelibrarycambridge.wordpress.com
Ulysses: some editions at Trinity
February 2022 marks the 100th anniversary of the publication of James Joyce’s Ulysses. This blog highlights some of the inspiration for Joyce’s influential, if controversial, book and some of the d…
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
RIP David Hockney, always colourful. A Bigger Book lib-cat.trin.cam.ac.uk/Record/5b11d... #DavidHockney
A large book on a tripod stand with a red leg, blue leg and yellow leg in the Wren Library in front of the statue of Byron and the stained glass window.
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
Remembering Edward Capell born #OTD 1713. His collection of early Shakespeariana was presented to The Wren Library at Trinity College in 1779. It was the first collection to have the stipulation that it was not to be loaned out, but consulted in the library. mss-cat.trin.cam.ac.uk/manuscripts/...
Photograph of a double page spread of a printed book and a had written inscription on the right page.
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Dr Anna Clark @drannaclark.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
“Reason is the life of the law…” Sir Edward Coke, great English jurist, Lord Chief Justice, High Steward of University of Cambridge, revived interest in Magna Carta, and drafted Petition of Right (granted Royal Assent #OTD 1628). Portrait, Trinity College Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social
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Mary Burgess @cambliblife.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Went to make a cup of tea and found one of my colleagues had evidently enjoyed themselves at the kid's Lego session yesterday. Not sure we've got enough lego to make a full size one though...
A lego model of a blue book trolley made out of lego, with a variety of different coloured books on it.
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
We're open to everyone 12.00 - 2.00 Monday through Friday, and 10.30 - 12.30 on Saturdays during term!! All the details are here: www.trin.cam.ac.uk/library/visi... and we look forward to welcoming you to the library soon!
trin.cam.ac.uk
Visitors - Trinity College Library
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
The Wren Library sits by the river. Today we are imagining being in the river and feeling like a king. #keepingcool MS.B.11.5 mss-cat.trin.cam.ac.uk/Manuscript/B...
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
We're celebrating Peter Shaffer's 100th Birthday here at the Library! If you can't make it to Cambridge to see highlights from his archive on display, check out this new blog post by one of our intrepid archivists, Diana Smith! trinitycollegelibrarycambridge.wordpress.com/2026/05/15/t...
trinitycollegelibrarycambridge.wordpress.com
The Papers of Sir Peter Shaffer (1926-2016)
The papers of playwright Sir Peter Shaffer were bequeathed to Trinity College Library in 2016. On this centenary of his birth, our Assistant Archivist Diana Smith discusses the collection.   In the…
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
John Dryden, first Poet Laureate died #OTD in 1700. Read about him in our blog post from 2018. trinitycollegelibrarycambridge.wordpress.com/2018/09/14/j...
Portrait of a mature man wearing lilac robes holding a crown of leaves in his hand and looking sideways at the viewer.
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Maria Popova @mariapopova.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
"Make your interests gradually wider and more impersonal, until bit by bit the walls of the ego recede, and your life becomes increasingly merged in the universal life." Bertrand Russell on how to grow old and what makes a fulfilling life www.themarginalian.org/2026/05/10/h...
themarginalian.org
How to Grow Old: Bertrand Russell on What Makes a Fulfilling Life
“Make your interests gradually wider and more impersonal, until bit by bit the walls of the ego recede, and your life becomes increasingly merged in the universal life.”
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Sam Ottewill-Soulsby @samottewillsoulsby.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Going through an issue of the TLS from last December, I find a philosophy pun courtesy of Nigel Warburton that surely deserves wider currantsy.
Yet, although he imagined the possibility of a serious and good philosophical work told as a series of jokes, Wittgenstein didn’t think it should be a series of pithy sayings. He made this point with an aphorism: "Raisins may be the best part of a cake; but a bag of raisins is not better than a cake.” (We might call this Wittgenstein's “Critique of Pure Raisin”.)
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Hurrah for Friday and #worlddonkeyday. This donkey (ms B.11.27) is very pleased to be taking a break from studying for exams to play music and dance. mss-cat.trin.cam.ac.uk/Manuscript/B...
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Mary Burgess @cambliblife.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Don't forget to go out and vote today - here's an election hustings from 1845 on Parker's Piece here in Cambridge.
An engraving of an election hustings in 1845. There is a large hut in the background with the speakers in with large crowds around it. Towards the back of the crowd are gentleman on horses and ladies in large dresses.
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Big Meadow Search @bigmeadowsearch.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
1 month to go until 2026 Big Meadow Search Project gets underway. Runs 1st June to 31st August across UK, Ireland and Channel Islands. Any type of grassland can be included. Everyone welcome to join. Watch this space for updates and please start looking for places to search
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
It's #EarthDay, This wonderful world map from Cosmographica, 1482 appears in Grylls 2.195 lib-cat.trin.cam.ac.uk/Record/90ed3...
A drawing of the map of the world with painted heads round the edges blowing on the Earth like winds.
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Good morning from the margins. Monday again. This face has seen 800 years of Mondays. mss-cat.trin.cam.ac.uk/Manuscript/O... #marginaliamonday
An initial letter Q is decorated with red line work with a face filling the centre space of the initial.
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Dr Anna Clark @drannaclark.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
”Yet it creates, transcending these, Far other worlds, and other seas, Annihilating all that’s made, To a green thought in a green shade.” The Garden (1681) by Andrew Marvell, English metaphysical poet born #OTD 1621. @trincolllibcam.bsky.social Stourhead Garden Wiltshire @nationaltrust.org.uk
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Happy St. Patrick's Day. Here are some grand images from the catchwords in manuscript B.15.25, Jocelin of Furness, Life of St Patrick. Also an inscription written in Irish from the same book. mss-cat.trin.cam.ac.uk/Manuscript/B...
A drawing of a man with wearing a sword, spearfishing a very large fish.Drawing of a man with a large hat and confused expression holding a scroll with a catchword.Drawing of a dog and a man carrying a bundle of straw with the moon shining next to him.Inscription in Irish
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Medieval Manuscripts @blmedieval.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
A trio of medieval bagpipers 🎶🎶🎶
A lower marginal illustration showing a shepherd tending a flock of sheep, with a man playing the bagpipes.A marginal figure of a man playing the bagpipes. A pair of hares from the margins, one playing a trumpet, the other playing the bagpipes.
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
To celebrate #InternationalBagPipeDay here is a pleased looking pooch playing the puppy pipes. M.S. B.11.27 mss-cat.trin.cam.ac.uk/Manuscript/B...
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Dr Anna Clark @drannaclark.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
William Whewell, influential British polymath & philosopher, coined words physicist & scientist, proposed new terminology for discoveries in chemistry by Faraday & in geology by Lyell. Mentioned in Trollope’s Barchester Towers; died #OTD 1866. Professor, Master, Chancellor Trinity College Cambridge
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KU Leuven Libraries Special Collections @speccoll-kuleuven.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Don't be fooled by the appearances! At first glance, these look like early printed books, but it is an ingenious chest of drawers. Has anyone seen this elsewhere?
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
The books in the library are glittering in the spring sunshine today. M.S. B.11.3 mss-cat.trin.cam.ac.uk/Manuscript/B... #worldbookday
And initial G with two figures dressed white robes looking at a book. to the left of them is a lions face in a lattice work design all decorated with gold leaf.
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Did anyone else enjoy seeing the full moon last night? This diagram showing the phases of the moon comes from MS O.2.45- mss-cat.trin.cam.ac.uk/Manuscript/O... This labyrinth comes from the same volume. Can you get to the centre?
A diagram drawn in red and black ink showing the Earth in the centre and the positions of the moon and the sun.A labyrinth drawn in red ink.
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Cambridge University History Faculty @camhistory.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Watch now on YouTube: Taoiseach of Ireland @micheal-martin.bsky.social announces Professor Alvin Jackson as first Childers Professor of Irish History @cam.ac.uk Speeches also from Vice-Chancellor Deborah Prentice and @lucydelap.bsky.social @trincolllibcam.bsky.social 🔗 youtu.be/rNynCzuh0CA?...
youtu.be
Taoiseach of Ireland announces the first Childers Professor of Irish History, 20 February 2026.
YouTube video by Cambridge History Faculty
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Planning a visit to Cambridge? What a shame isn't still here. Keramopolion must have been a wonder in the 1880s. These tissue paper thin prints are tucked into a scrapbook in the archive. #Fridayfeeling
An advert for a shop selling China, glass and pottering decorated with 3 pink octopuses and a large plant.Advert for a shop in Cambrige decorated with monkeys an octopus and a fish.
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Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland @virtualtreasury.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Welcome remarks by @micheal-martin.bsky.social at @trincolllibcam.bsky.social Irish + British histories are bound together: sometimes literally! virtualtreasury.ie/item/CamTrin... often personally - virtualtreasury.ie/item/CUL-MS-... and collaboratively 👍️ 👀 ALT text @camlibresearch.bsky.social
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Deborah Prentice, welcomed the Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Micheál Martin, to Cambridge to celebrate the appointment of the University’s first Childers Professor of Irish History.
Photo of Prof Alvin Jackson, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, and Vice-Chancellor Prof Deborah Prentice standing in the Great Court, Trinity College, Cambridge.

Photo credit: University of Cambridge

The text of the Taoiseach's speech is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-the-taoiseach/speeches/address-of-taoiseach-miche%C3%A1l-martin-announcement-of-the-first-childers-professor-of-modern-irish-history-at-cambridge-university-trinity-college-cambridge-friday-20th-february-2026/


https://virtualtreasury.ie/item/CamTrinity-MS-1388 

Flyleaves from MS 1388, Gesta Romanorum, Trinity College, Cambridge.
The three flyleaves at the beginning are fragments of an account roll of cent. xiv, xv. On one side, well written, are portions of an Irish rental. 
Among the names that occur are
1. Ballythormoth · Ballybrodyn · Mologhrath· Balyrothe ...Henr. Adameson.Christopher de Holywode.Manerium de Trym.
2. Nouum castrum de Lyones Tasshagard.... Joh. Humbleton... Laurencius Neweton....fratres Carmelitarum leghlyn... Galfr. de Vale miles.Cromlyn.Bally Margg.Capella Isold et saltus salmonum... Walt. de la Hyde... Edw.Perrers... Will. Wellesley... Th. Monyn... Will. Kylmyngton.Walt. Eure... Prior S. Joh. Jerusalem hibern.
3. Balyskeagh.Manerium de demore.Castelricard.Maneria de Rathtoirith(?) Ardumlghan · Moylagli · Kyldalk


Each paragraph ends with a statement of what is due to the King: "itaque domino Refi," "et sic Regi" etc
On the other side in a rougher hand are some more accounts, viz
Rentale Johannis Shordich
and
copenhanger doune.

See more Cambridge MSs in VRTI: https://www.virtualtreasury.ie/collecting-history-exhibitionThe Statue of Kilkenny's ban on mixed marriages being enforced. 1396/7. 

Translation of entry on Page 32 of MS 3104:

J.W. is indicted because he took Finowle Ó hAnluain, an Irish woman, in cayff and held her for two years feloniously, contrary to the form of the Statute of Kilkenny. And he pleaded for pardon. 20 Richard II, roll 7.
(Trans. P. Crooks)

See more Cambridge MSs in VRTI: https://www.virtualtreasury.ie/collecting-history-exhibitionSee Irish historical records shared by Cambridge and other British and Irish research libraries at our online exhibition:
https://www.virtualtreasury.ie/collecting-history-exhibition
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Ulrike Graßnick @ulrikegrassnick.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Weekend! #medievalsky @trincolllibcam.bsky.social B.11.22, f. 142v
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Happy Lunar New Year! B.4.1 mss-cat.trin.cam.ac.uk/Manuscript/B...
A painting of a detail of a horse head wearing a gold bridle on red decorated background.
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Christ's College Cambridge @christscollegecam.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Check out our newly-updated resource - Darkness Visible - for studying alumnus John Milton's 'Paradise Lost'. darknessvisible.christs.cam.ac.uk www.christs.cam.ac.uk/news/darknes... #ChristsCollegeCambridge #Cambridge #Milton350 #JohnMilton #UniversityOfCambridge #CambridgeUniversity
Image of the tree of life with a naked figure entwined by a snake
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
Imagine your documents were marked up for editing with this guy. Terrifying! MS.B.2.25 mss-cat.trin.cam.ac.uk/Manuscript/B... #marginaliamonday #medievalsky
A drawing of male head wearing a hat with an arm and hand pointing at written text.
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Trinity College Library, Cambridge @trincolllibcam.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
In commemoration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we're featuring MS O.2.48 in which we see: 🧵👇
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Dr Elena Rossi @elenarossi.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Latest crafting obsession: Linocutting! First piece was inspired by a watermark in the fifteenth-century accounts from King's Hall, Cambridge, housed @trincolllibcam.bsky.social. I was looking for female employees and tenants for an article but became a little obsessed with the various watermarks.
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