British scientists are hoping to unlock the secrets of an ‘utterly bonkers’ 600-year-old scroll that was the inspiration for Game of Thrones.
Known as the Canterbury Roll, the prized 15th-century manuscript is 16 feet (five metres) long and still has many hidden meanings, an expert has said.
As the only genealogical scroll in the southern hemisphere, this precious document tells the history of England from its fabled beginnings to the late Middle Ages.
British scientists are hoping to unlock the secrets of an ‘utterly bonkers’ 600-year-old scroll that was the inspiration for Game of Thrones
The scroll has been at the University of Canterbury in new Zealand for more than 100 years.
The secrets of the ancient text could soon be revealed as the team prepare ‘groundbreaking work that has never before been applied to this type of manuscript’, UC Senior Lecturer Dr Chris Jones told news.com.au.
The Roll was first translated by Arnold Wall in 1919. However, his version contains errors, omissions and some quesitonable readings.
The aim of this project is to present a new version of the manuscript that allows users to access both the Latin transcription and English text which could reveal ‘hidden meanings’.
It will be made freely available online so anyone can read the document and contribute to the project.
Stage one is already available on the University website.
The ancient document depicts the English civil wars known as the Wars of the Roses which were a series of battles fought in medieval England from 1455 to 1485.
These battles inspired George RR Martin’s fantasy novels, the first of which is called Game of Thrones.
‘The Canterbury Roll is the most significant and substantial medieval artefact in New Zealand’, Dr Jones said.
As the only genealogical scroll in the southern hemisphere, this precious document tells the history of England – from its fabled beginnings to the late Middle Ages
The secrets of the ancient text could be about to be revealed as the team prepare ‘groundbreaking work that has never before been applied to this type of manuscript’
‘No-one has anything like this in New Zealand or Australia. And it’s utterly bonkers that no-one really knows we have it, because it’s magnificent!’ he said.
The ‘spectacular’ scroll begins with Noah and then traces the rulers of England – from Brutus to Kind Edward IV with commentary in Latin.
The mix of myth and actual historical facts give an insight into how medieval people recorded history.
It depicts three key historical eras – first medieval history starting with the bible.
Then it shows classical myth and the influence of Graeco-Roman civilisation on Britain.
The Wars of the Roses inspired George RR Martin’s fantasy novels, the first of which is called Game of Thrones. Pictured is Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen and Kit Harington as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones
The ancient document depicts the English civil wars known as the Wars of the Roses which were a series of battles fought in medieval England from 1455 to 1485 (artist’s impression)
Finally it tells the story of the Kings of Britain, including King Arthur and the 15th-century ‘heroic’ golden age as well as the Wars of the Roses, largely fought between the House of Lancaster and the House of York.
The name Wars of the Roses is based on the badges used by the two sides
‘It was originally drawn up by the Lancastrian side in the conflict but it fell into Yorkist hands and they rewrote part of it’, Dr Jones said.
‘It’s considerably more sophisticated than anything that exists in the world today’, he said.