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The exhibition unfolds through four thematic itineraries:
1) Sacred Manuscripts showcases the physical beauty and cultural significance of sacred books, ranging from early medieval Bibles and vernacular religious writings to the richly adorned books of hours and liturgical calendars.
2) Poetry and the Bible considers how the scriptures, especially the Song of Songs, inspired poets to explore spiritual love, desire, and divine mystery through translation and adaptation.
3) Monarchs in Devotion follows the role of English royalty in shaping religious life and language, highlighting the spiritual writings of Catherine Parr and Elizabeth I, and culminating in the monumental achievement of the King James Bible.
4) Dialogue with the Divine centers the voices of women, mystics, playwrights, and visionaries, like Antonia Pulci, Margery Kempe, and St. Catherine of Siena, whose writings bridged the human and the divine and found new life across borders and centuries.
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To navigate the page:
The coloured markers, each linked to one of the four thematic paths, indicate the geographical location of the texts. Visitors can choose to follow just one path or explore how the different themes overlap and connect. Smaller markers usually point to a single text or event, while larger ones highlight a group of texts and images.