What: An Ethiopian manuscript including a collection of hymns

Where: The Chester Beatty Library, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2, D02 AD92

One of a collection of 58 Ethiopian manuscripts and illustrated pages in the library. Two others in the collection – a manuscript of the Miracles of Mary (Library ref: 914) and an edition of the Praises of Mary (Library ref: W916) – have clear links to Magdala. Many of the rest may also be Magdala plunder.

Library Ref: 949

Provenance: There is a note on the verso of folio 46 reading: “Tho. Eadon, 10th Company, Royal Engineers”, according to Rita Pankhurst’s 173 paper The Library of Emperor Tewodros II at Maqdala (Magdala). That Company took part in the Abyssinian Expedition.