symposium
From Jean le Bon to Good Duke Humfrey: a new manuscript witness to Anglo-French cultural exchange
Friday 21 March 2025, 11am–5pm
Free and all welcome, booking required
At the Weston Library and online
Bodleian Library, MS. Duke Humfrey c. 1, fols. 72v-73r.
The Bodleian Libraries have recently acquired a previously unknown manuscript from the library of Humfrey Duke of Gloucester. First written and illuminated in Paris towards the end of the 13th century, the manuscript is an early example of the translation of the New Testament into French. Owned by Jean le Bon, King of France, in the middle of the 14th century, by the early 15th it was in England and came into the hands of a series of Lancastrian royal princes.
This symposium provides a first opportunity to explore this outstanding arrival and to point the way for future research.
Coffee and tea will be provided.
This symposium will be followed by a drinks reception in Blackwell Hall.
Programme
10.30–11am Arrival and coffee
11–11.15am Welcome from Richard Ovenden; Introduction by Martin Kauffmann
11.15am–12.30pm Origins (chaired by Daron Burrows)
Clive Sneddon, Translating the Bible into medieval French
Emily Guerry, The Cholet Master and manuscript illumination in Paris at the end of the 13th century
12.30–2pm Lunch (not provided)
2–3.15pm From France to England (chaired by Jocelyn Wogan-Browne)
Laure Rioust, Biblical manuscripts in the libraries of Kings John II the Good and Charles V the Wise: heritage and dispersal
Laure Miolo and Jean-Patrice Boudet, The circulation and spoliation of scientific manuscripts between France and England in the Hundred Years’ War
3.15–3.45pm Tea
3.45–5pm The manuscript in England (chaired by Daniel Wakelin)
David Rundle, The Lancastrian moment: the manuscript’s English owners
Daniel Wakelin, Conclusion and avenues for further research
Followed by a drinks reception and launch of the digital facsimile of MS. Duke Humfrey c. 1
Speakers
Jean-Patrice Boudet, Université d'Orléans
Emily Guerry, University of Oxford
Laure Rioust, Bibliothèque nationale de France
David Rundle
Laure Miolo, University of Oxford
Clive Sneddon, University of St Andrews
Daniel Wakelin, University of Oxford
Booking information
This event is free but booking is required. You can attend this event in person at the Weston Library or online via Zoom.
When you have booked your place, the ticketing system will send you an automated confirmation. If you book to attend this event online, you will receive details for joining the Zoom webinar by email.
For More information
Visit https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/mar25/from-jean-le-bon-to-good-duke-humfrey or email csb@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Location
This symposium takes place in person in the Sir Victor Blank Lecture Theatre at the Weston Library.
Weston Library, Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BG. Find us on Google Maps.
Wheelchair access
The Weston Library is wheelchair accessible.
Weston at 10
This event is part of 10 years of the Weston Library. Preserving knowledge, supporting scholarship and sharing culture.