Cambridge project uncovers lost Arthurian tale hidden in centuries-old book binding.

A forgotten piece of medieval literature has been brought to light at Cambridge University Library, where researchers uncovered a rare 13th-century manuscript fragment containing tales of Merlin and King Arthur. Hidden for hundreds of years in the binding of a 16th-century property record, the rediscovered text offers new insights into the enduring appeal of Arthurian romance—and the creative reuse of parchment in early modern England.

The fragment forms part of the Suite Vulgate du Merlin, a French-language continuation of the King Arthur legend that survives in fewer than 40 known manuscripts. Written between 1275 and 1315, this version of the Merlin story was once part of the wider Lancelot-Grail cycle—a major work of medieval fiction that circulated widely among aristocratic audiences.

Originally discovered in 2019, the fragment had been repurposed centuries earlier as the cover of a land register for Huntingfield Manor in Suffolk. Folded, torn, and stitched into the binding, the manuscript was difficult to access or read until a multidisciplinary team at Cambridge launched a major conservation and imaging project.

Rediscovery of a Medieval Romance

“It was first thought to be a 14th century story about Sir Gawain,” explained Dr Irène Fabry-Tehranchi, who helped identify the fragment. “But further examination revealed it to be part of the Old French Vulgate Merlin sequel, a different and extremely significant Arthurian text.”

Because each manuscript of the period was copied by hand, every version carries unique details and copying quirks. In this case, scribal slips such as using “Dorilas” instead of “Dodalis” are helping scholars determine where this particular version fits within the broader manuscript tradition.

The decorated red and blue initials and the quality of the script suggest a high-status production intended for noble readers—perhaps even women of the court, as Old French remained the language of England’s elite in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest.

From Battlefields to Banquet

The surviving text includes two vivid episodes from the Suite Vulgate du Merlin. One recounts the Christian victory at the Battle of Cambénic, where Gauvain, his family, and his supernatural powers confront the Saxon kings in a dramatic clash. The second shifts to a more ceremonial setting: Merlin, disguised as a harpist, makes an appearance at King Arthur’s court on the Feast of the Assumption—highlighting his magical abilities and his role as a royal advisor.

The condition of the fragment presented major challenges. Too fragile to unfold by hand, it had to be studied in place—preserved not only as a medieval document, but also as evidence of early modern archival binding techniques.

“It’s not just about the text itself, but also about the material artefact,” said Fabry-Tehranchi. “The way it was reused tells us about archival practices in 16th-century England. It’s a piece of history in its own right.”

Virtual Tools Unlock Physical Texts

Led by the University Library’s Cultural Heritage Imaging Laboratory (CHIL), the team used an array of digital tools to read the damaged manuscript without physically disturbing it. High-resolution multispectral imaging revealed rubbed-out sections of text, while CT scans—borrowed from the University’s Zoology department—provided a 3D map of how the parchment was stitched into the binding.

“This project was a fabulous opportunity to employ all possible advanced imaging techniques from our photographic arsenal,” said Maciej M Pawlikowski, Head of CHIL. “And each of them brought something very important to light. This resulted in the creation of a set of unique digital objects which placed the original fragment in a whole new context and has transformed our understanding of it.”

Hey Cambridge people. If you want to hear about othe most challanging project where we pulled whole arsenal of imaging technologies. Join a talk @bird-gerhl.bsky.social & Blazej Mikula to learn more. languagecollections-blog.lib.cam.ac.uk/2025/03/04/c… #DH @camdiglib.bsky.social #HeritageScience

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— Maciej Pawlikowski (@mmpawlikowski.bsky.social) March 6, 2025 at 12:28 PM

The process involved hundreds of images, mirrors, prisms, and other specialised tools to virtually reconstruct the document. Once digitally reassembled, the team could view the full text for the first time in centuries.

“If this had been done 30 years ago, the fragment might have been cut, unfolded, and flattened,” said Fabry-Tehranchi. “But today, preserving it in situ gives us a crucial insight into 16th-century archival practices, as well as access to the medieval story itself.”

A Path Forward for Manuscript Conservation

Funded by Cambridge Digital Humanities, the project not only revealed a long-lost piece of Arthurian legend but also demonstrated a new, non-invasive model for conserving and studying fragile texts embedded in historical bindings.

“This project was not just about unlocking one text—it was about developing a methodology that can be used for other manuscripts. Libraries and archives around the world face similar challenges with fragile fragments embedded in bindings, and our approach provides a model for non-invasive access and study.”

Researchers and conservators from other institutions, including the UK’s National Archives, have already expressed interest in applying these techniques to their own collections.

The discovery shows that medieval manuscripts still have secrets to tell—and that with the right tools, we can keep unfolding history, one hidden fragment at a time.

Click here to learn more about the Merlin Fragment

Top Image: The inner front cover of the manuscript as it was discovered. Seen here are some of the folds, including flaps and turn-ins, making reading and accessing the text hidden beneath particularly difficult without damaging the material. Photo courtesy University of Cambridge