The Chronicles, described by many as the most important document in Manx history, are currently the centrepiece of an exhibition at the Manx Museum.

But they are only in the Island on loan and are due to go back in December.

They are owned by the British Library, although it is not fully clear how they first fell into British possession.

The Chronicles are the oldest written record of the Island's Norse-Gaelic period from 1000AD to 1316.

They are believed to have been compiled by monks at Rushen Abbey and it is thought they fell into private hands after Rushen Abbey was dissolved in 1540, during the reign of Henry VIII.

>> Find out more about the Chronicles of Mann

iomtoday.co.im, in conjunction with the Isle of Man Examiner, is now calling on your support to campaign for the return of the Chronicles to the Isle of Man on a permanent basis.

If you sign up to our petition, we will take forward your views to the British Library and the UK Government to press for the Chronicles' return.

Our campaign has the full support of the Celtic League. Director of information Bernard Moffatt said: 'It's time for a campaign.'

To join our campaign, email your support, stating you would like to see the return of the Chronicles of Mann to the Isle of Man on a permanent basis. Please include your name and address.

Alternatively, print out and complete our petition form and send to Chronicles of Mann, Isle of Man Newspapers, Publishing House, Peel Road, Douglas, IM1 5PZ.

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This week's online vote is also based around the return of the Chronicles. Site users should be aware that the one-week voting process is running alongside the main campaign as an indication of interest and votes will not be counted as part of the wider petition.

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WHAT DO YOU THINK OF OUR CAMPAIGN?
Send us your views.

YOUR COMMENTS

Well done on starting this appeal. It is an absolute outrage that the most important documents of our country's history are kept and are the possession of the British government! Bring them home where they belong, I'm sure that if the treaty of the Union was on display in the Manx Museum things would be very different…!
RICHARD

The links between Isle of Man and Norway are very strong
as we have our history linked very close together. The Chronicles of
Man is a very important part of that history, too.
MARGARET, Larvik, Norway

I believe the campaign to return the Chronicles has been a long running saga and the British Library has never adequately explained how they came to 'own' the Chronicles or what ethical justification they have for retaining them.
ANGELA

Perhaps the Newspaper could fly a few of our MHKs over to Dublin to show them the queues which form each day at Trinity College to view the Book of Kells.
BERNARD

As an avid ancient history buff and one with a passion for archeological and historical discoveries and their proper preservation, I wholly and totally support the return of these ancient chronicles to the Isle of Mann on a PERMANENT basis. As the oldest written record of the island's Norse-Gaelic history as a sea kingdom, it deserves to be returned to its people.
MARIA, Texas, USA

The Chronicles of Mann are our history, the record of life of our Island...and they were taken from us. It's time for them to come home...permanently.
CHRIS

England has a bad history of taking the treasures of other countries by force. History is in the past so cannot be changed. The present actions of governments can remove a lot of bad feeling and wouldn't this be a good place for England to start! The Chronicles of Man has a lot more meaning here on the Isle of Man than it ever will have in England so by voluntarily not asking for them to be returned they would gain the respect we all crave. The Island would be able to display these accounts for residents and visitors who are interested in the Island history.
MAIREAD, Douglas

I agree that the chroicles of mann belong to the Island of Mannin and its native people. To every sheep its lamb, to every book its copy, to every people their history.
SEOSAMH O'COLLA