Rare book returned to historic Yorkshire abbey where it was studied by monks 500 years ago

A one-of-a-kind book has returned to the ruins of the historic abbey where it was diligently inscribed and studied by monks more than 500 years ago.
The Yorkshire Post
By The Yorkshire Post
Published 29th Jun 2023, 07:37 BST

The incredibly rare copy of Missale ad usum Cistercienci was printed in Paris in 1516 and is believed to have once belonged to the monks of Kirkstall Abbey and remarkably, it still contains notes and passages they delicately wrote by hand.

After centuries of being handed down through generations of two prominent Leeds families, the book, which features detailed instructions and woodcut illustrations on the dos and don’ts of public worship, was acquired at auction by Leeds Central Library in 1901 for just £5.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This week, librarians took the precious tome, known as the Kirkstall Missal, back to the abbey where thanks to a detailed research project, visitors will be able to discover more about it and borrow a digital copy. The book itself will now be going on display at Leeds Central Library.

Senior librarian Rhian Isaac holds a rare copy of Missale ad usum Cistercienci, also known as the Kirkstall Missal, which has been returned to the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds, where it was diligently inscribed and studied by monks more than 500 years agoSenior librarian Rhian Isaac holds a rare copy of Missale ad usum Cistercienci, also known as the Kirkstall Missal, which has been returned to the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds, where it was diligently inscribed and studied by monks more than 500 years ago
Senior librarian Rhian Isaac holds a rare copy of Missale ad usum Cistercienci, also known as the Kirkstall Missal, which has been returned to the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds, where it was diligently inscribed and studied by monks more than 500 years ago

Rhian Isaac, Leeds Central Library’s special collections librarian, said: “This remarkable text has been part of the city’s history for more than half a millennium, outlasting countless events, places and people which have come and gone while it has remained almost perfectly preserved.

“It’s humbling to think that today, we are looking at the very same words which were studied by monks here in Leeds all those centuries ago and which we’ve now returned to the abbey where the Missal was once so important to those who lived here.

“It’s also exciting that visitors to the abbey and the library will have the chance to discover more about this unique piece of the city’s story and to connect with the abbey and its history in a new way.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Missal was rediscovered by Philip Wilde, library assistant at Leeds Central Library, while exploring the library stacks, sparking a mission to find out more.

He discovered that the Missal was approved for the use of the Cistercian order by their General Chapter in Citeaux, France.

The Missal itself will be on display at Leeds Central Library for the next two weeks.

Related topics:YorkshireLeedsKirkstall Abbey