Libraries Gave Us Power

In this episode, the story of the British Library's Royal Manuscripts collection reaches its end with the last great flowering of illumination, in the magnificent courts of the Tudors. She investigates astrological texts created for Henry VII, and unwraps his will - still in its original, extravagantly-decorated velvet and gold cover. She hears music written for Henry VIII, which went unperformed for centuries; and reads love notes between the king and Anne Boleyn, written in the margins of a prayer book. Nina also visits Bruges, the source of many of the greatest manuscripts, where this medieval art form collided with the artistic innovations of the Renaissance.

English
  • Originally Aired January 23, 2012
  • Runtime 60 minutes
  • Production Code b019jsfg
  • Network BBC Four
  • On Other Sites IMDB
  • Notes Is the series finale
  • Created August 8, 2017 by
    Administrator admin
  • Modified August 8, 2017 by
    Administrator admin
Name Type Role
Janina Ramirez Writer
Peter Sweasey Director