Claire BarnesAn exhibition at the remarkable Chained Library of Hereford Cathedral continues until 12 Sept, & includes the Hereford Gospels dated c.800AD. 🧵 1/
https://www.herefordcathedral.org/Event/shaping-early-medieval-faith
@medievodons @histodons @Libraries
Helen PughMum and I had a great time going on a tour of the chained library at Wells Cathedral the other day.
This book belonged to the Newton's of East Harptree in the 1600s and is a Bible in 9 languages (imagine the typesetting!). That was exciting for me because Isabel de Cheddar married into that family and became the first know female churchwarden back in 1496, as featured in Unsung Women.
#somerset #Wells #wellscathedral #libraries #chainedlibrary #bookstodon #histodon
Erik KwakkelIt is a priceless experience to stand in a library that has been around for hundreds of years and where nothing has changed. Most medieval libraries have been repurposed and you have to tilt your head and close one eye to get a sense of how it was.
Not so in the #ChainedLibrary in Zutphen, Holland. The patrons have just left and will return in a moment, their last thoughts still hanging in the air. Sitting on a bench where 100s sat before you long ago is magic.
Silence please! - The chained library is one of the most pragmatic and secure among premodern libraries. It was also one of the noisiest, with chains shuffling and bashing around.
Pics (my own): Librije, Zutphen, Netherlands.
Like to read more? https://tinyurl.com/yj9t3bc4
#libraries #history #medieval #ChainedLibrary #MedievalManuscripts #BookBinding #BookHistory #reading #books
