FT260

Ever since it was discovered in 1912 by bookseller Wilfrid M Voynich, whose name it bears, the Voynich Manuscript (see FT130:42–46) has fascinated decipherers, from profess­ional code-breakers to amateur enthus­iasts. Suggested authors range from Roger Bacon to William Shakespeare and even Wilfrid Voynich himself. It has been said to contain the ‘last rites’ of the Cathars, the ‘elixir of life’, and even End-Time instructions from spacemen. Surrounding most pages are mystifying drawings of plants, zodiacal constell­ations, bathing females and what looks like piping systems or microscopic views, although it must be said that many are in line with ancient traditions of medical illustrations.