CHAPTER VII: ACADEMIC LIBRARIES: CAMBRIDGE Old English libraries; the making, collection and use of books during the middle ages | ||
7. CHAPTER VII: ACADEMIC LIBRARIES: CAMBRIDGE
1. § I
AS the libraries of Cambridge were mostly of later foundation than those at Oxford, and as the collections were of the same character, it is less necessary to describe them in detail, especially after having dealt fully with the collections of the sister university. Cambridge University does not seem to have owned books in common until the first quarter of the fifteenth century. Before that, in 1384, the books intended for use in the University were submitted to the Chancellor and Doctors, so that any containing heretical and objectionable opinions could be weeded out and burnt. In 1408-9 it was ordered that books suspected to contain Lollard doctrines should be examined by the authorities of both Universities; if approved by them and by the Archbishop of Canterbury, they could be delivered to the stationers for copying, but not before. And in 1480 keepers of chests were forbidden to receive as a pledge any book written on paper. 7.1 Certain regulations were also made with regard to the status of stationers and others engaged in book-making in the town. But there seems to have been no common library.
About the time when Gloucester made his first gift of books to Oxford University a public library was possibly
In 1423 one John Herrys or Harris gave ten pounds for the
library, possibly for a building, as books do not seem to have been
bought with it.7.4 A common library is
mentioned in 1438.7.5 In the same year a
grant was made by the king of the manor of Ruyslip and a place called
Northwood for a library. The first room was erected between this year
and 1457. After 1454 many entries occur in the University accounts for
the roof of the new chapel and the library, for the general repairs of
the same buildings, for the chaining and binding of books, and for their
custody during a fire in King's College in 1457.
7.6 A sketch of the Schools quadrangle drawn about
1459 shows this library, libraria nova, above the Canon Law
schools, on the west side.7.7 Between the
completion of this library
The learned Bishop Tunstall gave some Greek books to the library in 1529, just before he was translated to the see of Durham. Even then, however, the collection was on the down grade. Nine years later, owing to a decline in numbers at the University and a loss of revenue, some of the books, described as "useless," were sold. 7.10 Then again, in 1547, occurs a more significant notice. A Grace was passed recommending the conversion of the great or common library into a school for the Regius
2. § II
The earliest collegiate libraries were Peterhouse, Pembroke Hall, Clare Hall, Trinity Hall, and Gonville. Peterhouse had the first library in Cambridge. Hugh of Balsham, Bishop of Ely, introduced into an Augustinian Hospital at Cambridge a number of scholars who were to live with the brethren. Before Hugh died the brethren and the scholars quarrelled, and the latter were removed to two hostels on the site of the present college (1281-84). He did not forget to provide his new foundation with books, among other properties. In the statutes of 1344 are stringent provisions for the care of books, which prove that the society had a library worthy of some thought. Clare College was founded by the University as University Hall (1326), then refounded twelve years later by Lady Elizabeth de Clare as Clare Hall. In 1355 she bequeathed a few books. Pembroke College, founded in 1346, received a gift of ten books from the first Master, William Styband. The statutes of Trinity Hall, which was founded by Bishop William Bateman in 1350, partly to
The intention of King Henry VI was to make the library of King's College and that of Eton very good. In his great plan for the former, which was never carried out, Henry proposed to have in the west side of the court, "atte the ende toward the chirch," "a librarie, conteynyng in lengthe . cx . fete, and in brede . xxiiij . fete, and under hit a large hous for redyug and disputacions, conteynyng in lengthe . xl . fete, and . ij . chambres under the same librarie, euery conteynyng . xxix. fete in lengthe and in brede . xxiiij . fete." 7.15 But an apartment was set aside for books, and, as a charge was incurred for strewing it
Likewise at Eton—which may be referred to appropriately here—the king desired to have a good library. "Item the Est pane in lengthe within the walles . ccxxx. fete in the myddel whereof directly agayns the entre of the cloistre a librarie conteynyng in lengthe . lij . fete and in brede . xxiiij . fete with . iij . chambres aboue on the oon side and . iiij . on the other side and benethe . ix. chambres euery of them in lengthe . xxvj . fete and in brede . xviij . fete with . v. utter toures and . v. ynner toures." 7.20
A library room is referred to in 1445 or 1446; then "floryshid" glass was bought for the windows of it.7.21 In 1484-85 it is again mentioned in connexion with repairs. A year later a lock and twelve keys for the library were paid for. 7.22 Then in 1517, we are told, "the fyrst stone was layd yn the fundacyon off the weste parse off the College, whereon ys bylded Mr. Provost's logyn, the Gate, and the Lyberary." 7.23 It would seem that these several references are to the vestry of the Chapel, in which the books were first kept, and then to the Election Hall, to which they were subsequently removed. 7.24 Henry VI seems to have given £200 "for to purvey them books to the pleasure of God." 7.25
St. Catharine's Hall, founded in 1473-75, in a few
As at Oxford, these collections were augmented by the gifts of generous friends and loyal scholars. Peterhouse had many friends. Thomas Lisle, Bishop of Ely, gave a large Bible (1300). 7.27 In 1418 a welcome gift came from a former Master, John de Newton, who had reserved some theological books, Seneca, Valerius Maximus, and other books for his old house. At this time Peterhouse had 380 volumes: at Oxford the University library was no larger, although it was possibly richer, and in numbers only the library of New College can have beaten it. Sir Thomas Beaufort, Duke of Exeter, bequeathed a volume of sermons in 1427.7.28 Later Dr. Thomas Lane gave some good books (1450). Then Dr. Roger Marshall presented a large number of volumes, some of which were to be placed in libraria secretiori, and in chains, if the Master and Fellows thought fit, while the remainder were to be chained in apertiori libraria, where they could not be borrowed, but were easily accessible (1472): this benefactor evidently fully appreciated Peterhouse's division of its library into reference and lending sections. Less than a decade later Dr. John Warkworth, the Master, presented fifty-five manuscripts, among which was his own Chronicle. "Among the gifts made to the library in the fifteenth century are one or two which raise curious questions. One book comes from Bury and has the Bury mark. Another belonged to the canons of Hereford; another to Worcester; another to Durham (it is still identifiable in the Durham catalogue of 1391); and
A vicar of St. Mary's, Nottingham, named John Hurte, gave books to several colleges—to Clare Hall seven books, including Guido delle Colonne's Troy book, Ptolemy in Quadripartito; to the College of God's House, afterwards absorbed in Christ's College, Egidius and a Doctrinale; to King's College Isaac de Urinis; to the University Library three books; as well as an astronomical work to Gotham Chest (1476).7.32
At Peterhouse in 1414 special provision was being made for the books in a long room on the first floor. The workman employed on the job was to receive, in addition to his wages, a gown if the College were pleased with his work. By 1431 a new library was necessary, and a contract was entered into for building it. Sixteen years later the work had so progressed that desks were being made. In 1450 the old desks were broken up, and locks and keys were bought for sixteen new cases. This library was on the west side of the quadrangle. A library for Clare Hall was built between 1420 and 1430. A little before this a new library was begun for King's Hall, probably to replace a smaller room. For the books of Pembroke College a storey was added to the Hall about 1452. The early collection of Gonville Hall was kept in a strong-room; then in 1441 a special room was included in the buildings on the west side of the quadrangle. At Trinity Hall the books were stored in a room over the passage from one court to the other and at the east end of the chapel, and here they remained until after the Reformation. The early library room of Corpus Christi was in the Old Court, on the first floor next to the Master's lodge. In Queens', St. Catharine's, Jesus, Christ's, St. John's and Magdalene a library formed a part of the original quadrangle.7.33
CHAPTER VII: ACADEMIC LIBRARIES: CAMBRIDGE Old English libraries; the making, collection and use of books during the middle ages | ||