THE STOWE MISSAL
Although the same age as the celebrated Book of Kells, this small 8th century illuminated manuscript would have been carried on their rounds by a priest or monk. The first twelve leaves contain extracts from the Gospel of Saint John ending with this image of him on the left. The right side shows the beginning of the Ordinary of the Mass and is followed by other Christian rites. At this time Ireland's reputation had grown to a point where it was known as the "Land of Saints and Scholars".
(Hand-coloured monochrome print. Photographed by permission of Royal Irish Academy)
“I send my little dripping pen unceasingly
over an assemblage of books of great beauty,
to enrich the possessions of men of art,
whence my hand is weary with writing.”