The Prince and the Plunder

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

Category: Biblical books

The Book of Job and the 12 Minor Prophets (OR 497)

Published / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: An 18th century Ethiopian manuscript containing Job and other books, including the 12 minor prophets.

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

Ref: OR 497
Digital version – http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=Or_497

Provenance:
Stamped at the front: “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 Daniel, Job, minor prophets and some writing exercises (OR 498)

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What: An 18th century Ethiopian manuscript containing Daniel, Job, Ecclesiasticus, or the Wisdom of Jesus the son of Sirach, and the Minor Prophets. Folio 1 a and 70 b are covered with “trials of the pen”.

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

Ref: OR 498
Digital version – http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=Or_498

Provenance:
Stamped at the front: “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 Miracles of Jesus Christ (OR 8824)

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What: An 18th century illuminated manuscript of The Miracles of Jesus Christ

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

Ref: OR 8824
Digital version – http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=Or_8824
Title: The Miracles of Jesus Christ, ተአምረ ኢየሱስ.
Date: 18th century
Decription: An Ethiopian manuscript containing: 42 miracles of Jesus Christ. Number of illustrations: 40 miniatures illustrating the Miracles of Jesus and a rough drawing in black for a miniature representing of God the Father with the symbols of the four Evangelists.
Provenance:
Front flyleaf, a note “Bequeathed by Barea Batoness Zouche, 13 Oct 1917.”
Before f.1 a double paper leaf is inserted (110 x 185 mm.) containing a letter written by W. Wright to R. Curzon concerning the content of the manuscript. 6 November 1868. The letter says the manuscript came from Magdala.

A manuscript of The Octateuch (OR 480)

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What: A 14th-15th Century manuscript of The Octateuch – Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth

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

Ref: OR 480
Digital version – http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=Or_480
Description: An Ethiopian manuscript containing:The Octateuch. (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth)

Provenance:
On f.2r. Upper margin ኦሪት ዘቅዱስ መድኃኔ ዓለም, “the Law, belonging to the Holy Saviour of the World”. The church Holy Saviour of the World built by King Theodore at Magdala.

It is the first manuscript 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 Octateuch, Gospels and ecclesiastical works (OR 481)

Published / by Andrew Heavens / Leave a Comment

What: A late 17th Century, profusely illustrated, manuscript of The Octateuch – Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth – as well as the Gospels and ecclesiastical works

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

Ref: OR 481
Digital version – http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=Or_481

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

The King’s Own ‘Bible’, with note mentioning Senafe, a stop on the march *

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What: An illustrated Ethiopian manuscript described as a “Bible”, more likely a collection of saints lives and miracles

Where: King’s Own Royal Regiment Museum, Market Square, Lancaster, LA1 1HT

The Regiment Museum website publishes several pictures including one of a page with this English hand-written message: “Presented to the Revd. Fisher Turner by ? Stokes Esq 1/4 King’s Own Royal Regiment. In token of the esteem and friendship he had for his son Frederic Cooper Turner Esq, 1/4 King’s Own Royal Regiment. Senafe, Abyssinia, 26 May 1868.”

Frederic Cooper Turner’s medals are in the museum’s collection. Prior to joining the army he served as a midshipman in the Indian Navy 1858-1863. Present at the assault at Fort Beyt and with the Naval Brigade in the Okamunder Field Force at the Capture of Dwarka in 1859, and in the China Campaign and Capture of Taku forts, 1860. Ensign 8 Aug 1865 with 1st Foot. Transferred to King’s Own on 22 Aug 1865, served in Abyssinia. Lieutenant 1870. Adjutant 1876-8. Captain 1878. Promoted Major 1883 to Northamptonshire Regiment, later Lieutenant Colonel. Died 26 Jan 1921. KOLIB0066

Accession Number: KOLIB0066-