The Voynich Manuscript is an enigmatic text filled with illustrations and an unknown script that has puzzled scholars for centuries. Authored in the 15th century, it features over 200 pages of botanical, astronomical, and biological drawings, alongside mysterious text. Researchers have yet to decipher its meaning, making it a focal point for cryptographers and historians alike. This manuscript is essential for anyone interested in historical texts, cryptography, or the mysteries of the Renaissance. It serves as a unique case study in the intersection of art, science, and language.

Key Points

  • Features over 200 pages of illustrations and unknown script.
  • Includes sections on botany, astronomy, and biology.
  • Has remained undeciphered for centuries, attracting cryptographers.
  • Originated in the 15th century, reflecting Renaissance mysteries.
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631091
THE VOYNICH MANUSCRIPT
"The
Most Mysterious Manuscript in the World"
BY
BRIGADIER
JOHN H.
TILTMAN
Released
by
NSA
on
23-Apr-2002
pursuant
to
the
Freedom
of
Information
Act
case
#:
19159
DOCID:
631091
The
Voynich
Manuscript
"The Most Mysterious Manuscript in the World"
BY BRIGADIER JOHN H. TILTMAN
The following paper is a slightly expanded version
of
a paper which I
delivered
to
the Baltimore Bibliophiles on March 4, 1967. I am fully
aware
of
the inadequacy
of
my
treatment
of
the subject. The paper is
intended only as
an
introduction
to
the
study
of
the manuscript for anyone
approaching it for the first time.
INTRODUCTION
The
Voynich
Manuscript
is a vellum book
of
over
200 pages.
There
is
text
on
almost
every
page in
an
unknown
script.
There
are also
coloured drawings
on
all
but
about
20 pages.
Plate
I will give you
an
idea
of
what
the
script
looks like. Plate 2 is
an
example
of
an
illustrated page.*
To
the
best
of
my
knowledge
there
is no confirmed solution
of
the
script
or
any
part
of
it,
and
the
authorship
and
general
dating
of
the
manuscript
is
totally
unknown.
With
the
exception
of
a small
number
of
later
additions (not
in
the
unknown
script),
the
character
of
the
script
and
general behavior
of
the
symbols
appear
to
be
constant
throughout
the
book. Opinions differ as
to
whether
the
whole is
by
one
hand.
There
appear
to
be
no erasures
or
corrections, which sug-
gests
that
the
manuscript
as
we see
it
is likely
to
be
a copy
of
an
original which
may
be
of
an
earlier
date.
In
any
case
the
writing
of
the
manuscript
and
the
painting
of
the
illustrations
must
have
been a
major
undertaking.
The
late
Father
Petersen
made
his own transcrip-
tion
of
the
manuscript
without
the
illustrations,
and
it
occupied
him
for, I believe,
three
or
four years.
Only a comparatively small
part
of
this
paper
is original, i.e.,
has
not
appeared
in
print
before.
My
purpose in writing
it
is
to
widen
the
circle
of
those who
might
be
interested in
the
manuscript.
I
am
a
working
man
and
have
not
been
able
to
devote
much
time
to
its
study
and
am
fully aware
of
the
many
deficiencies
in
my
knowledge.
DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY
In
1912
the
manuscript
was
purchased
by
the
late
Mr.
Wilfred
M.
Voynich (later a
rare
book dealer in New York) who "discovered
it
in
*All
plates appear
at
the end of
the
article.
VOYNICH
MANUSCRIPT
DOCID:
631091
a chest in
an
ancient castle in Southern
Europe."
It
is
now owned
by
Mr. H. P. Kraus,
the
New York
antiquarian
bookseller, who has
revealed
that
it
was found
at
Mondragone. ·
This
is a villa in Frascati
near
Rome,
built
by
Cardinal Altemps
about
1570. In 1582 Pope
Gregory
XIII
issued from Mondragone
the
bull reforming
the
calendar.
The
villa
apparently
continued in
the
Altemps family as in 1620 a
later
member of
the
family bequeathed
the
Mondragone library
to
the
Vatican library.
In
1865
the
villa became a Jesuit college which was
finally closed in 1953. From 1912
to
1919, Voynich
attempted
to
interest scholars in Europe
and
America
in
solving
the
script, while
trying
himself
to
determine
the
origin of
the
manuscript.
The
manuscript, when discovered, was accompanied
by
a letter,
shown in
Plate
3.
With
Mr.
Kraus's
permission I quote from his
catalogue
number
100, entitled Thirty Five Manuscripts,
the
passages
"History
of
the
Manuscript"
and
"Conjectures concerning
the
early
history
of
the
Manuscript:"
HISTORY OF
THE
MANUSCRIPT
The
manuscript enters recorded history
on
the
19th
of
August, 1666, when
Joannes
Marcus Marci
of
Cronland sent
the
codex from Prague
to
Athan88ius
Kircher,
at
Rome, with a signed autograph letter, which
is
found loosely laid into
the
manuscript.
It
reads as follows (transl. from
the
Latin):
"Reverend and Distinguished Sir,
Father
in Christ:
"This
book, bequeathed
to
me
by
an
intimate friend, I destined for you, my
very dear
Athanasiue, as soon as
it
came
into my possession, for I was convinced
that
it
could be read
by
no one except yourself.
"The
fonner owner
of
this
book
asked
your opinion
by
letter, copying and
sending you a portion
of
the book from which he believed you would be able
to
read
the
remainder,
but
he
at
that
time refused
to
send
the
book itself.
To
its
deciphering he devoted unflagging
toil,
88
is apparent from
attempts
of
his which
I send you herewith,
and
he relinquished hope only with his life.
But
his toil
was in vain, for such
Sphinxes
88
these obey no one
but
their master, Kircher.
Accept now
this token, such as
it
is
and
long overdue though
it
be,
of
my affec-
tion for you, and
burst
through
its
bars, if there are any, with your wonted
eucceee.
"Dr.
Raphael, a
tutor
in the Bohemian language
to
Ferdinand
III,
then King
of
Bohemia, told me the said book belonged to the Emperor Rudolph and
that
he
presented
to
the bearer who brought him
the
book 600 ducats. He believed the
author was Roger Bacon, the Englishman.
On
this
point I suspend judgement;
it
is your place
to
define for us what view
we
should
take
thereon,
to
whose
favor
and
kindness I unreservedly commit myself
and
remain,
At
the
command
of
your Reverence
Joannes
Marcus Marci
OfCronland
Prague, 19th August, 1666."
The
last numeral
of
the
date
has
been
altered
by
pen from
"5"
to
"6,"
obviously
by
Marcus himself.
The
emperor Rudolf
II
(1552-1612) was a scholar rather
than
a
man
of affairs; he neglected hie duties as ruler
of
his realm in order
to
devote
2
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End of Document
366
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FAQs of Voynich Manuscript: The Most Mysterious Manuscript

What is the significance of the Voynich Manuscript?
The Voynich Manuscript is significant due to its unique combination of illustrations and an undeciphered script, making it a subject of intrigue for historians and cryptographers. Its origins date back to the 15th century, and it is believed to contain knowledge from that era, possibly related to herbal medicine, astronomy, and biology. The manuscript's mysterious nature has led to numerous theories regarding its authorship and purpose, with some suggesting it may have been created as a coded text for a specific audience.
What types of illustrations are found in the Voynich Manuscript?
The Voynich Manuscript contains a variety of illustrations, including over 125 pages dedicated to botanical drawings, which depict plants that are often unidentifiable. Additionally, there are 26 pages of astronomical or astrological illustrations, showcasing celestial bodies and zodiac signs. The manuscript also features biological drawings that include human figures, as well as pharmaceutical illustrations that suggest medicinal uses of various plants. These diverse illustrations contribute to the manuscript's allure and complexity.
Who has attempted to decipher the Voynich Manuscript?
Numerous scholars and cryptographers have attempted to decipher the Voynich Manuscript, including notable figures like William R. Newbold and more recently, modern cryptographers using advanced computational methods. Despite various claims of decipherment, no consensus has been reached, and the manuscript remains largely a mystery. The challenges in deciphering it stem from its unique script, which does not resemble any known language, and the potential use of a complex cipher or code.
What theories exist about the authorship of the Voynich Manuscript?
The authorship of the Voynich Manuscript is a topic of much speculation, with theories ranging from it being the work of a single individual to a collaborative effort. Some researchers have suggested that it may have been authored by Roger Bacon, a medieval scholar, while others propose it was created by an unknown alchemist or herbalist. The lack of definitive evidence regarding its origins has fueled ongoing debates and research into its authorship, making it a fascinating subject for historians.
What historical context surrounds the creation of the Voynich Manuscript?
The Voynich Manuscript was created during the Renaissance, a period marked by a resurgence of interest in science, art, and literature. This era saw the emergence of new ideas and discoveries, particularly in fields like botany and astronomy. The manuscript's illustrations and themes reflect the intellectual curiosity of the time, as well as the blending of art and science. Its mysterious nature may also indicate that it was intended for a specific audience, possibly within scholarly or alchemical circles.

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