Manuscript looted during war to be returned to Italy
A 12th century manuscript belonging to the British Library will be returned to Italy because it was looted in the Second World War, it was confirmed yesterday. The 290-page Beneventan Missal was taken from the Metropolitan Chapter of the Cathedral...
A 12th century manuscript belonging to the British Library will be returned to Italy because it was looted in the Second World War, it was confirmed yesterday.
The 290-page Beneventan Missal was taken from the Metropolitan Chapter of the Cathedral City of Benevento, Naples, in 1943 during the chaos that followed the allied bombing of southern Italy.
The British Library later acquired the manuscript but after a change in the law it must now be returned to its native city.
Culture Minister Ed Vaizey said: “We should all be incredibly grateful that the Missal has benefited from the highest possible standards of care during its time at the British Library.
“The city of Benevento will once again be custodian of this unique and culturally valuable manuscript, bringing to a close another chapter in its fascinating history.”
The manuscript – a Missal and calendar written in Beneventan script known as Benevento VI 29 or Egerton 3511 – is complete with decorations, motifs and foliage.
It was bought by British army Captain DG Ash from a second hand book-seller in Naples in 1944, acquired at auction for the British Museum in 1947 for £441, and was transferred to the British Library in 1973.
It will now be transferred to the Chapter Library in Benevento.
The Chapter discovered that the manuscript was in London’s British Library in 1961 and made formal claims in 1978 and 2000. It seems the Italians were unaware that the Missal still existed until the late 1960s, knowing nothing of its post-war fate and believing it had been destroyed.
British Library chief executive officer Dame Lynne Brindley said: “We are now in discussions with the Chapter Library in Benevento to make arrangements for the return of the Missal.
“I understand that the Chapter Library will continue to provide international scholars with the levels of access to the manuscript that they have enjoyed up to now and that the item will continue to benefit from the highest standards of care and stewardship.”
The move came after a ruling in 2005 when an independent body, the Spoliation Advisory Panel, concluded the Missal had probably been looted from the Metropolitan Chapter of the city between 1943 and 1944 and recommended the manuscript should be sent back.
In 2005 it was not possible because of the terms of the British Library Act. However, since the Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) Act of 2009 was passed, the Chapter resubmitted its claim for the Missal.
It will be the first item to be returned under the Act.