King’s Lynn’s Red Register (c.1300-1395), thought to be one of the earliest surviving paper books in England, has been recognised as being of exceptional international importance and added to UNESCO’s World Register (think ‘world heritage status’ for documents).
Held by the Norfolk Record Office, in partnership with the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, the register contains key records of the town’s medieval government, including civic memoranda, wills and deeds.
Dating back to the 1300s, this manuscript offers a rare insight into life, trade and civic business in one of medieval England’s most important historic port towns. Widely considered the earliest surviving archival paper book in the UK, and possibly the world, a reproduction can be viewed at Stories of Lynn in the historic Trinity Guildhall in King’s Lynn, giving visitors the chance to discover one of Norfolk’s most extraordinary historical treasures for themselves.
The Red Register is one of five collections newly added to the UK register this year.
Images © with owners, including Norfolk Record Office.
