Most people may only ever view a beautifully illuminated 15th century manuscript from behind glass in a museum cabinet, never mind have the chance to actually turn its pages. So when I learned that it was possible to personally handle a 500-year old book whose every page is decorated with miniature illustrations and brilliant gold leaf, I was all over it. Here’s how I literally got my hands on two of the rarest and most valuable books in the Victoria and Albert’s National Art Library collection in my own illuminated manuscript private viewing. And you can do it, too.