The book, The 1879 Theft of Royal MS 16 E VIII: Wars and Tolkien’s Teacher’s Role, by prof. C. Rossi, delves into the mysterious disappearance of Royal manuscript 16 E VIII, a priceless 13th-century manuscript, from the British Museum’s Round Reading Room in 1879. This manuscript contained the only known copy of Le Voyage de Charlemagne à Jérusalem et à Constantinople, a cornerstone of French medieval literature.
Set against the post-Franco-Prussian War backdrop, the book explores academic rivalries, nationalism, and cultural heritage. It also uncovers the tragic assassination of Robert Reinsch, one of the last individuals to consult the manuscript before its disappearance, adding a chilli...