A collection of rare books dating as far back as the 11th Century has been loaned to Lancaster University.
Among the books are John James Audobon's 19th Century illustrated Birds of America.
The collection, consisting of 52 works and 132 volumes, has been loaned by Lord Hesketh, whose family lived in Lancashire for centuries.
The university said the books - many of which are priceless - would be made available for viewing by the public.
Other aspects of the collection include manuscripts and letters referring to Mary Queen of Scots, some signed by Queen Elizabeth I.
Also on loan are a 15th Century Book of Hours and some of the originals of Pierre Joseph Redoute's Les Roses.
Other rare books already in the university's collection include an early collection of Shakespeare's plays - the First Folio compiled by his actor friends John Hemmings and Henry Condell and published in 1623.
"We are delighted that Lord Hesketh has chosen to deposit such a rare and interesting collection of works with Lancaster University," said the Vice-Chancellor Prof Paul Wellings.
"Some of the books in the collection contain marvellous illustrations of fauna and flora which will be of interest to academics in the Lancaster Environment Centre and to visiting scholars from far and wide."
Lord Hesketh's family lived at Rufford Old Hall, near Ormskirk, from the 16th Century before moving to Northamptonshire in the 19th Century.
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