Morten St George Theory

[Linda]

Yes, JP, I am looking at ALL the evidence, but not just all the zodiac evidence. It's hardly clear-cut, otherwise the VMS wouldn't be classified as a mystery.

Let me summarize the main points of contention between your theories and mine so that we can then discuss ways to resolve the issue.

You are claiming that the VMS is a unique, original document created in Europe during the early 15th century and reflecting European culture of the early 15th century.

I think JKP keeps an open mind and takes great care not to box himself into any claim, no matter how much he may like it, unless he has unrefutable evidence. I think perhaps you are projecting again.

I am claiming that the VMS was composed in the Americas during the early 15th century as a copy of earlier documents reflecting European culture of the mid 13th century.

Really. This is not what you said earlier. Is this an updated claim to fix some of the problems with your earlier assertions that it was written in the Americas in the 13th century?

It seems that the only American animal that might serve as a source for vellum-quality parchment is the bison, a close relative of European cows. Thus, another protein test (this time for bison protein) might definitively resolve the issue.

I don't know, but suspect the original test already refutes this idea. 

I've had prior two-way email contact with the protein lady in York and I might be able to convince her to do the bison testing for free. 

I guess that is better than one-way contact to that effect.

Your task would be to convince the Beinecke Library (I do not get on well with them) to send her a tiny scraping for testing.

Deal?

If he doesn't accept, will this post self destruct? Cue MI theme song.

I wonder why you don't get on well with the library people?

PS. To encourage the Beinecke Library to allow further testing, you can try telling them that Linda thinks Shakespeare wrote the VMS marginalia. Thus, beyond a few signatures of doubtful authenticity, the VMS would contain the only extant examples of the handwriting of the real Shakespeare, which could easily double the fame and market value of the VMS. 

You can certainly try. But you know I don't think so.