The Prince and the Plunder

A book on how Britain took one boy and piles of treasures from Ethiopia

Category: Biblical books

A 16th century Psalter of Christ (OR 534)

Published / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: A, Ethiopian manuscript, dated 1528, of “a Psalter of Christ”

Where: The British Library, 96 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DB

Ref: OR 534
Digital version – http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=Or_534

Provenance:
Stamped inside the cover: “Presented by the Secretary of State for India Aug. 1868”
Listed as part of the “Magdala collection” in William Wright’s Catalogue of the Ethiopic manuscripts in the British Museum acquired since the year 1847

A 17th century Psalter (OR 535)

Published / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: A 17th century Psalter accompanied with hymns and prayers, Mazmura Krestos and the Mazmura Dengel

Where: The British Library, 96 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DB

Ref: OR 535
Digital version – http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=Or_535

Provenance:
Stamped on the first page: “Presented by the Secretary of State for India Aug. 1868”
Listed as part of the “Magdala collection” in William Wright’s Catalogue of the Ethiopic manuscripts in the British Museum acquired since the year 1847

A manuscript of the Psalms, with Mazmura Dengel (OR 536)

Published / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: A 17th century Ethiopian manuscript of the Psalms, with Mazmura Dengel with musical notes and unfinished picture of St. Michael

Where: The British Library, 96 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DB

Ref: OR 536
Digital version – http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=Or_536

Provenance:
Listed as part of the “Magdala collection” in William Wright’s Catalogue of the Ethiopic manuscripts in the British Museum acquired since the year 1847

Manuscript of the Psalms, Mazmura Krestos and the Mazmura Dengel (OR 537)

Published / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: A 17th century Ethiopian manuscript of the Psalms, with a Mazmura Krestos and the Mazmura Dengel, With the Canticles or Biblical Hymns, the History of the blessed Virgin Mary and of the Syrian Potter and Wedddse Maryam

Where: The British Library, 96 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DB

Ref: OR 537
Digital version – http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=Or_537

Provenance:
Stamped on the first page: “Presented by the Secretary of State for India Aug. 1868”
Listed as part of the “Magdala collection” in William Wright’s Catalogue of the Ethiopic manuscripts in the British Museum acquired since the year 1847

A manuscript including the Psalms and the Canticles (OR 538)

Published / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: A 17th-18th century Ethiopian manuscript including the Book of Psalms, The Canticles or Biblical Hymns, The Song of Songs, The Wedddse Maryam, for the day of the week, a Salam to the blessed Virgin Mary and Prayers for the days of the week

Where: The British Library, 96 Euston Rd, London NW1 2DB

Ref: OR 538
Digital version – http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=Or_538

Provenance:
Stamped on the inside cover: “Presented by the Secretary of State for India Aug. 1868”
Listed as part of the “Magdala collection” in William Wright’s Catalogue of the Ethiopic manuscripts in the British Museum acquired since the year 1847

A manuscript including a Lectionary for Palm Sunday and Passion week. Homilies on the Passion (18)

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What: A Lectionary for Palm Sunday and Passion week. Homililies on the Passion, dated 1687

Where: The John Rylands Library, 150 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3EH

One of four manuscripts in Manchester University’s library taken from Magdala. A fifth is described a “bought by Lt-Colonel Henslowe from a priest in Addigrat” – a major stop on the force’s route on the campaign. The library has a total of 42 Ethiopian manuscripts, and some of the remainder may also have come from Magdala.

Stefan Strelcyn lists the lectionary as No. 18 in his Catalogue of Ethiopic manuscripts in the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, and identifies it as a Magdala manuscript:

“The manuscript was brought from Magdala. In the upper margin of f. 3r there is a note ‘Gabra Hemamat belonging to the Church of the Saviour of the World.’ On the inner cover is a label: ‘G. F. Robertson, Lieut. and Adjutant, 3rd Dragoon Guards, Magdala, 13 April 1868.'”