Winchester Historic Libraries - TrustNews Summer 1992
by Sara Dick-Read: a journalist living in Winchester - with an abiding interest in history
Winchester is fortunate to have not one but two ancient libraries of great interest, not only for their content but also for their historic settings. These are the Winchester Cathedral Library and the Fellows' Library of Winchester College. Both date back to mediaeval times and yet are still very much in use today.
THE EARLY CATHEDRAL LIBRARY
The Cathedral Library is the older of the two, having presumably originated in the time of the Benedictine Priory - the late 11th century. The actual location of the first library is uncertain. Although the present Morley Room (at the end of the South Transept) dates back to the 12th century, and there are niches behind the 17th century shelving which could have been used for storage, as well as an important 13th century wall painting, there is nothing to indicate for sure that this room was used as a library before 1684.
Having no mediaeval catalogue, it is not known what books and manuscripts were in the library, but presumably they were mostly of a theological nature and used for preparation of sermons and for scholarly research and study. Some of the books may have been produced in the scriptorium of the Priory, and this is certainly true of what is generally considered to be the Cathedral's greatest treasure, the Winchester Bible. This beautiful work started in about 1155 in the time of Bishop Henry of Blois, was never finished, we know not why, but this makes it of even greater interest today in that it shows us how the work of illustration was done. We can see the exquisitely executed drawings on the unpainted pages as well as the uncompleted paintings on some of the initials. It is quite astounding that this work has survived all the vicissitudes of the centuries including the Reformation and the Civil War intact with its colours glowing as brightly as the day they were painted. There are other mediaeval treasures in the Library archives - an Anglo-Saxon charter dating back to 957, a work by Bede and a despatch from the battlefield of Poitiers as well as a number of manuscripts, accounts and obedientiary rolls.
The Reformation and the Civil War
The Morley Room, Winchester Cathedral
The Reformation led to the destruction and loss of many of the library's contents, and it was not until the middle of the 16th century that Bishop Home decreed that the Chapter were to make a Library within a year and "to furnish the same with books towards which should be spent the sum of £20 to be followed by a yearly expenditure of 5 marks". On his death, Bishop Home left all his historical books to the Library and it was around this time that Dr Ralph Hulton bequeathed Leonhart Fuch's Herbal with its meticulous woodcuts, all hand-coloured. (A researcher was studying this book in the Library only last year seeking information on cures for asthma). So gradually the Library was built up again, but less than a century later disaster struck once more - this time in the form of the Civil War.
Winchester inevitably suffered from the ravages of the Civil War and the Cathedral was the victim of at least two attacks by disgruntled, unpaid Parliamentary soldiers. Besides destroying many of the splendid furnishings of the Cathedral, they also ransacked the Library and Muniment Room, destroying countless ancient charters, manuscripts and records. John Chase, Chapter Clerk of the Cathedral in 1642 made valiant efforts to save what he could, and he left behind a horrendous account of manuscripts being burned or discovered floating down the river. He made a list of anything that was left or rescued, and these (about 200 books and 15 manuscripts) were removed to London, and later, sent for safe-keeping to the Winchester College Library. From here they were eventually returned to the Cathedral at the Restoration.
Bishop Morley's Bequest
The Restoration was the time of the Cathedral Library's great benefaction - the Morley bequest. Bishop George Morley was a man of wide learning and erudition and a confirmed bibliophile. In exile during the years of the Commonwealth, he travelled extensively on the Continent and it is assumed that he amassed many of his books then, as there are volumes from Utrecht, Breda, Paris and Brussels among other cities which he visited. After two years as Bishop of Worcester, Morley was translated to Winchester in 1662. When in 1667 he first intimated to the Dean and Chapter that he intended to leave his books to the Cathedral, Morley, concerned at the poor state of the library requested that it should now be restored. The shelves at present in use were installed, clearly cut down to fit the dimensions of the 12th century room, indicating that they must have come from elsewhere, possibly from Farnham Castle where Morley lived. Morley died in 1684 and in June 1685 his gift of 2000 volumes was moved to the Cathedral Library. He also left instructions for the purchase of two globes (an essential part of any library at this period), so the Blaeu globes on show today were duly bought for £23.11s plus £8 for 'porterage'. Finally Morley left provision for a Librarian to be paid the princely sum of £5 per annum.
The Library was to be a "public Library" but not in the sense that we know it today. It was specifically for the use, not only of the Dean and Chapter, but also of the clergy from the diocese who had little access to books. The collection bears witness to Morley's varied interests, for though it contains many sermons and works by Calvin, Luther and other noted theologians, there are also works of great classical philosophers, of Chaucer, King Charles I and an early (1669) edition of Milton's Paradise Lost. Shakespeare does not feature, his work being considered rather dubious in Morley's time, but there is a first edition of the collected works of John Donne. A huge, four-volume atlas, wonderfully illustrated with maps and engravings, is the work of Ogilby who, rather intriguingly, combined the occupations of 'Cosmographer, Geographick Printer and Master of the Revels in the Kingdom of Ireland'.
The draughtsmen employed by Leonard Fuchs,
author of Herbal De historia stirpium 1542
18th and 19th Century Additions
After Morley's death, the Library gradually gained more benefactions, and it has also been enlarged over the years by the purchase of books by the Dean and Chapter, including among others, a first edition of Gilbert White's Natural History of Selborne. From early times the Library was used, as it is today for research by scholars, and the Borrower's Book started in 1728 is still in existence if not now in daily use. A new catalogue was produced in the mid-18th century, and the 19th century saw a further increase in the numbers of books and activity in the Library.
Canon Madge and Canon Goodman were two notable Librarians in the early part of the present century. In Canon Madge's time the exciting discovery of the 13th century wall painting was made during repairs: and Canon Goodman an eminent scholar, did much work on the cataloguing of the ancient manorial rolls of the Priory.
Recent Developments
After the second world war, Dr Walter Oakeshott, Headmaster of Winchester College was appointed Librarian to the Cathedral, the first layman ever to hold the post. During his tenure he did an immense amount of research and subsequently published several books on the subject of the Winchester Bible. Dr Oakeshott was also instrumental in the opening up of the Exhibition Room, opposite the Morley Library. Having been used for many different purposes over the years, this room now houses the Bible, all four volumes displayed under glass, with pages turned every few weeks. Further display cases are used for temporary exhibitions connected with the Library - for example last year Letters Patent of Henry VIII establishing the Dean and Chapter, and granting them land were on show here.
Other notable workers in recent years have been Canon Fred Bussby who served either as Canon Archivist or as Librarian from the early 1970's until his death in 1981, and who produced several learned works about the Cathedral, and the Library in particular: and Mrs Barbara Carpenter Turner, Deputy Librarian until 1989, who knows more about the history of Winchester in all its aspects than almost anyone alive today.
The Morley Library now contains about 3000 volumes of which 2000 are from Bishop Morley's collection. These are dated up to 1750. Upstairs in the Triforium there are shelves of books from 1750 to the present day. These are available for purposes of research with permission from the Cathedral Librarian. A long-term project currently under way in the Library is the cataloguing of the Archive - a meticulous and time-consuming job of inestimable value for future researchers and historians.
Maintenance and conservation are an ongoing consideration. The books are regularly inspected for signs of deterioration and rebinding is carried out when necessary. Every Monday, time is spent dusting shelves and books in the Library - an operation which takes about 18 months to complete!
WINCHESTER COLLEGE FELLOWS' LIBRARY
The Fellows' Library of Winchester College has perhaps had a less turbulent history than that of the Cathedral Library, but it is nonetheless of great significance for the vast number of books it has acquired over the centuries starting with three presented by the Founder in the late 14th century. One of these, perhaps intentionally starting the collection off on a grand scale is Ranulph Higden's Polychronicon, a history of the world illustrated with a map of the known world with Jerusalem at its centre.
In the early days of the College, the use of the Library was restricted to the Warden and Fellows and books were definitely not for the use of pupils, a situation reversed today, when boys are taken on visits to the Library as often as possible.
Changing Locations
Fromond's Chancery and Cloisters.
For many years the Library was situated on the upper floor
For many years the Library was situated on the upper floor of Fromond's Chantry built inside the cloister in the 15th century to commemorate John Fromond, steward of the College Manors. This upper room with windows on all four sides, appears to be the perfect place for quiet study, and indeed it was in use as a library until the end of the 19th century. Nowadays, however, the expansion of the Library has led to its being housed in several different locations throughout the College, ranging from the 19th century austerity of the Warden's Lodgings, down through ancient passages and courts to the vast mediaeval building which was once the College Brewery. There are books of science and mathematics, other sections devoted to travel and history, and some early books with metal plates and chains still in place indicating that, as in many early libraries (including the Cathedral) the books were chained.
Hidden away in the Strong Room are the College's most precious literary treasures. Here are stored the Founder's books - the Polychronicon mentioned above, and an early 13th century manuscript of the passion and miracles of St Thomas a Becket. Even earlier than this, but acquired in the 15th century, is a late 12th century Medical Commentary from Salerno, and there are a dozen incunables - books printed before 1500. There is a mystery surrounding four madrigal part-books dating from the second half of the 16th century. Richly bound in scarlet leather which indicates that they may have come from Queen Elizabeth's library, nothing is known of their provenance today.
Many Donors, many Subjects
Benefactions came, and hopefully continue to come, from many sources - from Wardens and Fellows, Headmasters and dons, from Old Wykehamists and sometimes from people with little or no connection with the College. Alexander Thistlethwayte, not himself a Wykehamist, bequeathed his collection to the Library; and Nathaniel Atcheson was another 19th century benefactor with no known connection with the College. Among his donations is a copy of the works of Juvenal published in Venice in 1494, illustrating the fact that though the Library contains many ancient books, these were not all acquired at the time of publication.
The College has produced a number of famous literary figures and their works are, of course represented in the Library. The Reverend Peter Hall who died in 1849 left a collection of works by Old Wykehamists including a 1797 edition of Edward Young's Night Thoughts, a best-selling poem of the mid-18th century, with engravings by Blake.
Joseph Warton, Headmaster from 1766 - 93 was an eminent man of letters, friend of Dr Johnson and other notable literary figures of his day. Warton contributed much to the College Library and there is also a copy of his Essay on Pope published in 1772 with marginal notes by Mrs Piozzi, another friend of Dr Johnson.
Bishop Turner left an interesting collection of bibles, and elsewhere in the Library there is a 15th century Lollard bible acquired in the early 17th century, but perhaps the most unusual bible is that presented by an early American visitor, Samuel Sewall. This is John Eliot's Translation of the Bible into the Indian Tongue published in Cambridge, Massachussetts in 1685.
Not all donations come from large or famous collections and some have a very personal aspect - a prize book won in 1795 contains a rather touching letter from the winner of the prize, William Pile Taunton to his father mostly about his journey home which was quite an undertaking in those days. No doubt he would have appreciated a more recent bequest which came from Edward Gaspar Box who died in 1942, having accumulated a fascinating collection of road maps and topography. The Peter Van der Keere Atlas in this collection however, is anything but recent having been published in 1599.
Though the first books in the Library were mainly theological, over the centuries works on a vastly varied range of subjects have been added, from Jonathan Swift's copy of Herodotus, to Halduyt's Voyages of 1598, Thomas Gray's Ode of the Death of a Favourite Cat, and the original manuscript of Ann Latham's enchantingly illustrated Rare Butterflies published here in Winchester in 1792. So all tastes are catered for, all interests covered.
The Warden and Fellows take an active interest in their Library, and as in the Cathedral Library, maintenance and conservation are of prime importance. A yearly rebinding programme is carried out by Mr T. Wiltshire in the bindery behind Wells' Bookshop.*
There are often requests from outside researchers for permission to study some of the books in the Library but the books are used mostly by the College.
So these two great collections, the Cathedral Library and the Fellows' Library of the College have survived in Winchester since the Middle Ages not untouched by the ravages of historical events, but still more or less intact. Their histories are separate yet parallel, and from time to time they have overlapped - after all, William of Wykeham, Founder of the College was Bishop of Winchester, and in a later century the College housed and protected the Cathedral's books during the Commonwealth Years. Finally, in the present century Winchester College provided a Librarian for the Cathedral in Dr Walter Oakeshott.
The Morley Library is open to the public from Monday to Saturday from April to the end of September, and on one or two days a week during the rest of the year.
From time to time there are exhibitions of books from Winchester College Fellows' Library on display in the College Treasury, a 14th century vaulted room, once the college beer cellar.
*see Newsletter July 1991 for an article on the Winchester Bookshop and Bindery