The Prince and the Plunder

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

Tag: Unknown

Processional cross last heard of in Carluke, Scotland *

Published June 18, 2024 / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: A processional cross

Where: Unknown

Description: One of three processional “Abyssinian crosses” sketched by William Simpson, an artist and correspondent for the Illustrated London News. on Britain’s Abyssinian Expedition in 1868.

A note on the page reads: “Abyssinian Crosses sent by W.S.A. Lochhart to his father at Carluke, Scotland”

Sources: Page 59 of one of two sketchbooks in the Institute of Ethiopian Studies in Addis Ababa, scanned in by the British Library – https://eap.bl.uk/archive-file/EAP286-1-2-11

Posted In Crosses
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Processional cross last heard of in Carluke, Scotland *

Published June 18, 2024 / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: A processional cross

Where: Unknown

Description: One of three processional “Abyssinian crosses” sketched by William Simpson, an artist and correspondent for the Illustrated London News. on Britain’s Abyssinian Expedition in 1868.

A note on the page reads: “Abyssinian Crosses sent by W.S.A. Lochhart to his father at Carluke, Scotland”

Sources: Page 59 of one of two sketchbooks in the Institute of Ethiopian Studies in Addis Ababa, scanned in by the British Library – https://eap.bl.uk/archive-file/EAP286-1-2-11

Posted In Crosses
Tagged

Processional cross last heard of in Carluke, Scotland *

Published June 18, 2024 / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: A processional cross

Where: Unknown

Description: One of three processional “Abyssinian crosses” sketched by William Simpson, an artist and correspondent for the Illustrated London News. on Britain’s Abyssinian Expedition in 1868.

A note on the page reads: “Abyssinian Crosses sent by W.S.A. Lochhart to his father at Carluke, Scotland”

Sources: Page 59 of one of two sketchbooks in the Institute of Ethiopian Studies in Addis Ababa, scanned in by the British Library – https://eap.bl.uk/archive-file/EAP286-1-2-11

Posted In Crosses
Tagged

Captain James’ letter from the emperor

Published February 26, 2024 / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: A letter from Emperor Tewodros

Where: Unknown – last seen in Bombay

This was exhibited along with other Magdala plunder at a meeting of the Bombay branch of the Royal Asiatic Society in August 1868.

According to the minutes of that meeting:

Dr. Wilson exhibited the following articles :

  1. An original letter of the Emperor Theodorus addressed to the commandant of Magdala , and found by Captain James on the destruction of that fort. It is neatly written in the Ethiopic character and Amharic language, and bears the royal seal. It relates to the late Coptic Abuna of Abyssinia , and contains the cruel order to allow that ecclesiastical dignitary to die without any attempt to seek his recovery.
  2. A copy neatly written on parchment of a large Amharic work, the Gadela Georgios, or History of St. George and the Dragon, with tolerably well executed coloured drawings of various Christian Martyrs, male and female. This curious work also belongs to Captain James of the Bombay Staff Corps.
  3. A copy of the Gospel of John in Amharic, written on parchment, and presented to Dr. Wilson by Mr. Mikhail Joseph , one of the interpreters of the Abyssinian force.
Posted In Letters | Manuscripts | The Plunder
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Captain James’ Life of St George, last seen in Bombay

Published February 26, 2024 / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: A manuscript of a life of St George with drawings of various martyrs

Where: Unknown – last seen in Bombay

This was exhibited along with other Magdala plunder at a meeting of the Bombay branch of the Royal Asiatic Society in August 1868.

According to the minutes of that meeting:

Dr. Wilson exhibited the following articles :

  1. An original letter of the Emperor Theodorus addressed to the commandant of Magdala , and found by Captain James on the destruction of that fort. It is neatly written in the Ethiopic character and Amharic language, and bears the royal seal. It relates to the late Coptic Abuna of Abyssinia , and contains the cruel order to allow that ecclesiastical dignitary to die without any attempt to seek his recovery.
  2. A copy neatly written on parchment of a large Amharic work, the Gadela Georgios, or History of St. George and the Dragon, with tolerably well executed coloured drawings of various Christian Martyrs, male and female. This curious work also belongs to Captain James of the Bombay Staff Corps.
  3. A copy of the Gospel of John in Amharic, written on parchment, and presented to Dr. Wilson by Mr. Mikhail Joseph , one of the interpreters of the Abyssinian force.
Posted In Acts & miracles of the saints | Manuscripts
Tagged

The interpreter’s Gospel of St John last seen in Bombay

Published February 26, 2024 / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: An Ethiopian manuscript of the Gospel of St John

Where: Unknown – last seen in Bombay

This was exhibited along with other Magdala plunder at a meeting of the Bombay branch of the Royal Asiatic Society in August 1868.

According to the minutes of that meeting:

Dr. Wilson exhibited the following articles :

  1. An original letter of the Emperor Theodorus addressed to the commandant of Magdala , and found by Captain James on the destruction of that fort. It is neatly written in the Ethiopic character and Amharic language, and bears the royal seal. It relates to the late Coptic Abuna of Abyssinia , and contains the cruel order to allow that ecclesiastical dignitary to die without any attempt to seek his recovery.
  2. A copy neatly written on parchment of a large Amharic work, the Gadela Georgios, or History of St. George and the Dragon, with tolerably well executed coloured drawings of various Christian Martyrs, male and female. This curious work also belongs to Captain James of the Bombay Staff Corps.
  3. A copy of the Gospel of John in Amharic, written on parchment, and presented to Dr. Wilson by Mr. Mikhail Joseph , one of the interpreters of the Abyssinian force.
Posted In Biblical books | Manuscripts | The Plunder
Tagged