Abstract:
The manuscript of De Reis van Jan van Mandeville presently in the possession of the South African library was exhibited in Brussels in 1990. Its miniature formed the logo for the exhibition and the manuscript was cited as leading attraction. This particular manuscript has never before been transcribed. This study is an introduction to a diplomatic transcription of the manuscript. Topics covered include a general introduction to the study, a discussion of the text as a mediaeval literary work, an exposition of evidence pertaining to the possible identification of the author and a brief historical overview of research in this area. An attempt is made to place the manuscript within the generic tree of other manuscripts containing the same text. The study concludes with a brief description of the manuscript and text.