Trending Now - Rare King Arthur Manuscript Hits the Market After 700 Years

WHO:

CNN - The manuscript is attributed to the anonymous "Master of the Liège Apocalypse."

CNN - Previous owners include a 15th-century knight, a jouster, Victorian collector Sir Thomas Phillipps, and French industrialist Jean Lebaudy.

WHAT:

CNN - The Clermont-Tonnerre Grail is a 700-year-old illuminated manuscript featuring tales of King Arthur and Merlin.

CNN - The manuscript contains 126 gold-leaf illustrations and text in Old French from the Lancelot-Grail cycle.

CNN - Christie's expects the manuscript to sell for between £1.5 million ($2 million) and £2 million ($2.7 million).

Newser - The manuscript is expected to fetch between $2 million and $2.7 million at auction.

WHERE:

CNN - The auction will take place at Christie's in London.

WHEN:

CNN - The sale is scheduled for July 8.

WHY:

CNN - The manuscript is considered "virtually unknown" and is likely to attract interest from institutions and private buyers due to its rarity and historical significance.

CNN - The manuscript has never been publicly exhibited or studied in detail, making it appealing for research and enjoyment.

HOW:

CNN - The manuscript is written on vellum and decorated with gold leaf, featuring rich illustrations of the legend of King Arthur and his knights.

(UPDATED May 28, 2026 14:17 UTC)

A rare illuminated manuscript known as the Clermont-Tonnerre Grail, attributed to the anonymous "Master of the Liège Apocalypse," is set to go under the hammer at Christie's in London on July 8, with expectations of fetching between $2 million and $2.7 million. This 700-year-old work features 126 gold-leaf illustrations and text in Old French from the Lancelot-Grail cycle, and it has never been publicly exhibited or studied in detail, making it a unique find for collectors and researchers alike. Previous owners of this manuscript include a 15th-century knight, a jouster, Victorian collector Sir Thomas Phillipps, and French industrialist Jean Lebaudy.