In the Bigynnyng: Manchester Middle English Digital Library

‘In the bigynnyng’ was a JISC funded digitisation project that initially populated the Manchester Middle English Digital library with 41 Rylands Middle English manuscripts. The project closed in 2009 with a public lecture by Professor Julia Boffey and was followed by a highly successful conference.
The manuscripts now available include key works of medieval literature such as the Canterbury Tales and John Lydgate’s two major poems the Troy Book and Fall of Princes. Other notable works include numerous examples of the New Testament translated into English by John Wycliffe, several copies of the Brut, the medieval history of England, and a rare copy of the Forme of Cury, a recipe book compiled by the master cook of Richard II.
The project was a response to increased demand for improved access to our collections and became the cornerstone for the much expanded Manchester Medieval Digital Library which now also contains manuscripts in other languages and incunabula.
The first additions to the library were similar works from Chetham’s Library, from the Brotherton Library in Leeds and of course the beautiful Petworth House Chaucer manuscript. All of these manuscripts were digitised through the CHICC project.
One of the most exiting elements of this project has been the wholehearted support we have had from our own Manchester academics and students which continues to this day. Postgraduate volunteers have completely transcribed the Forme of Cury and work has already begun on transcribing further English Manuscripts.
Staff from the School of Arts, Histories & Cultures and from the School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures continue to be extremely enthusiastic about our digitised collections and are actively incorporating the use of these resources into their teaching.