The Beneventan Missal
A聽12th Century manuscript will be returned to the city of Benevento, Italy.
The manuscript, known as the Beneventan Missal, was thought to have been looted during the allied bombing of Southern Italy in 1943.听
The Missal was bought by a British soldier from a second hand book-seller in Naples in 1944, acquired at auction for the in 1947, and later transferred to the .听
The return of the Missal follows a recommendation by the , which Ministers and the British Library have accepted, and it will be the first item to be returned under the 聽(PDF 61kb).听
鈥淲e should all be incredibly grateful that the Missal has benefited from the highest possible standards of care during its time at the British Library,鈥� said , Culture Minister. 鈥淭he 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.鈥�