A RENOWNED author has unveiled a 14th century bible to the public after it returned "home" as part of Gisborough Priory's 900th anniversary.

English novelist Philippa Gregory unveils The Gisburne Bible at Guisborough Library Gregory, who wrote The Other Boleyn Girl which was later adapted into two films, was invited to unveil The Gisburne Bible in the town on Thursday, September 27.

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The bible had been given to the Priory in the 1300s following a fire which destroyed a number of its other revered books.

Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 1500s, The Gisburn Bible was moved from the region before being donated to Cambridge University in 1635, where it has remained ever since.

But to coincide with Gisborough Priory's 900th year celebrations, the university agreed to a temporary loan at Guisborough Library.

At unveiling, Ms Gregory who lives in the North York Moors, said: “It’s a tremendous pleasure to be here on a proper Yorkshire day – it started pouring with rain and now it’s lovely.

"What we have here today is also so typical of Yorkshire as the culture and history we have in this region is extraordinary.

“Can you imagine how valuable something must be for people to preserve it generation after generation. It’s a beautiful object.

"What we are going to see is something that has survived the Reformation and extraordinary changes and has come back to its home to celebrate the Priory’s 900 years.”

At the event, the author was joined by Mayor of Guisborough Alma Thrower, Chair of the Gisborough Priory Project Christine Clarke, Councillor Steve Kay and Gisborough Priority 900th anniversary leader Sheila Berry.

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Mayor of Guisborough Alma Thrower

Cllr Steve Kay of Redcar and Cleveland Council said he hoped The Gisburn Bible could become as "famous" as history's other books.

He said: "This is a proud moment for the borough and for Guisborough and an opportunity to show off this bible which really belongs to Guisborough, and we have to thank Cambridge University for the loan – I hope one day it will be as famous as the Lindisfarne Gospels and the Book of Kells.

"I would like to congratulate the Gisborough Priory Project and library staff for all their hard work.”

The bible is to remain on display until Tuesday, October 29.