Manuscripts

The Western manuscript collection is divided into three parts: 

• ancient medieval and early modern manuscripts which consist of medieval and illuminated and pre-1600 historical manuscripts 

• modern archives and manuscripts which include historical, political and literary material from 1601 to 1850 and 1850 to 1950  

• contemporary literary and creative manuscripts which consist of material from 1950 to date. 

The Western manuscript collection includes: 

• psalters 

• ecclesiastical documents 

• letters and diaries 

• pedigrees 

• maps and charts 

• papyri 

• seals 

• charters 

• Lord Chamberlain’s Plays and modern playscripts 

• archives of historical, political and literary people. 

We also have a large collection of books and catalogues on our Reading Room open shelves.  

Our manuscripts collection can be accessed in our Manuscripts Reading Room on Floor 2 in St Pancras, London. Check our opening times.