Middle Dutch manuscripts

Collection history: At its foundation in 1798, a number of important Middle Dutch manuscripts transferred from the stadtholder's library to the Koninklijke Bibliotheek. Since then, this collection has been expanded.
Size:unknown
Accessibility: The manuscripts have been catalogued in card indexes at the Department of Special Collections. The manuscripts can only be consulted in the Special Collections Reading Room and are available for scolarly research only. A number of very unique manuscripts can merely be studied by means of microfilms and (colour) photographs.
More information:
Ed van der Vlist - 070-3140406

Collection description

The Koninklijke Bibliotheek possesses one of the most important collections of Middle Dutch manuscripts in the Netherlands. Treasures from this collection are the unique manuscript of Beatrijs; the so-called Hague manuscript of hymns; the Lancelot compilation and various books by Jacob van Maerlant, among which the only illuminated copy of his Spieghel Historiael. Apart from this there are manuscripts of the Rhyming Chronicles by Melis Stoke and Jan van Heelu and of Der minnen loep by Dirc Potter. Among the fragments are parts from Reynaerts historie, Karel ende Elegast and the Roelandslied.
At its foundation in 1798, a number of important Middle Dutch manuscripts transferred from the stadtholder's library to the Koninklijke Bibliotheek, among which the Lancelot compilation and the Hague manuscript of Hymns. With the collection of J. Visser, which contained many Middle Dutch manuscripts, among others the Beatrijs and a copy of Der Natueren Bloeme entered the library. In 1937, the significant collection of manuscripts of the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences was received on a protracted loan, which includes various copies of books by Jacob van Maerlant.

Literature:

Inventaris van de handschriften van de Koninklijke Bibliotheek. Deel 1: kastnummers 66-71. 's-Gravenhage 1988.
Inventaris van de handschriften van de Koninklijke Bibliotheek. Deel 2: kastnummers 72-73. 's-Gravenhage 1993.