Library Purchases 15 Millionth Volume

Rare 14th century manuscript advises on managing a manor

The 15 millionth volume acquired by the University Library is a perfect marriage, uniting the campus’s agricultural beginnings with its mission as an ongoing repository of shared knowledge.

Ceo ditte de husbonderie fist un chivaler sir Walter de Henleye, a scarce early 14th century Anglo-Norman manuscript contains a nearly complete text of Walter of Henley’s 13th-century Hosbondrye, one of the most influential works on agriculture and land management of the Middle Ages.

“This remarkable book is not only of great intrinsic value as a precious historical document, but it is both symbolically and in reality an important example that helps underscore our library mission: to unite knowledge across centuries and across cultures as we collaborate with the researchers who will feed the world and save the planet,” said Claire Stewart, Juanita J. and Robert E. Simpson Dean of Libraries and University Librarian.

While only 41 copies of the volume exist today, in the Middle Ages it was quite a popular piece, serving as an easy-to-read guide on managing an estate. The book advises on animal husbandry and livestock farming and is written in the form of a sermon from father to son. A man of varied interests, Henley—in addition to his knowledge of agriculture—was later known to be a knight and Dominican friar.

The book’s purchase was accomplished via the combined efforts of head librarians Lynne M. Thomas, MS ’99 LIS, Rare Book & Manuscript Library; Sarah Williams, Funk ACES Library; and Erin Kerby, Veterinary Medicine Library. All three units delved into their separate endowments established by Betty Jean Albert in honor of her husband, UI animal sciences professor Waco W. Albert. A bequest from her estate was also used.

The 15 millionth volume joins a group of rare, beautiful, and diverse items selected to mark the milestone of each millionth purchase made by the Library. Ceo ditte de husbonderie fist un chivaler sir Walter de Henleye enhances an esteemed collection that includes such treasures as Sir Walter Raleigh’s The History of the World; Tales of Ise, the first printed Japanese book to include illustrations; William C. Gannett’s The House Beautiful; H.G. Wells’ The Adventures of Tommy, a children’s story; and the first Bible printed in the American colonies (written in the Natick language of the Wampanoag people).

An image and description of each of the million-mark volumes remain permanently on display on the walls of the first floor of the Main Library, as well as online at go.library.illinois.edu/millionthvolumes. For a digitized version of the Henley manuscript, visit go.illinois.edu/15Mdigital.