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The Cathedral Library Print E-mail
The Cathedral LibraryLichfield Cathedral Library is situated in the upper storey of the Chapter House, built in 1249. For some years (1490 - 1758) there was a separate detached Library building The Library had been started by the Chapter and Dean Heywood, who was a munificent benefactor of the Cathedral. During the Civil War the Cathedral was under siege three times. The Library was desolated, and its contents, both books and fittings, dispersed and destroyed by the Parliamentarians. It was refitted by Dean Smallwood to house the 1000 books bequeathed to the Library by Frances, Duchess of Somerset, in 1673. These books, the collection of her husband, William, the second Duke, form the basis of the present Library.

The Library has had many benefactors. Prebendary Samuel Pegge, the Antiquary, in 1796, left 100 volumes. Andrew Newton in 1803 gave his library to the Cathedral. He was the founder of Newton's College for widows and daughters of the Clergy. Frederick Martin, Prebendary of Lincoln, gave large benefactions in 1865. The Reverend Thomas Barns, Vicar of Hilderstone, gave his collection of books in 1925, including many German works and books on Liturgy and Hymnology. Hugh Bright, Archdeacon of Stafford and Treasurer of the Cathedral gave many valuable volumes, including several Incunabula. Ernest Richard Orlando Bridgeman, Prebendary of Flixton and Rector of Blymill for 57 years gave rare books and manuscripts including Wycliffe's New Testament, a manuscript of about 1410.

At the turn of the century expansion became necessary and in August 1900 the Library was closed for a year, during which time the Annexe above the Vestibule was prepared to receive the great increase in the number of books.

Since 1973 the Library has been associated with the Birmingham University Library, and particularly with Dr Ben Benedikz, and this association has been mutually beneficial. Over one thousand volumes have been rebound, some with the aid of private individual donors, but many more from generous grants made available by the British Library. This important work is continuing, and recently work has included rebinding and repairing the valuable music library. A music catalogue has also been completed, by Dr Percy Young, our Music Consultant.

The Library contains books on a wide variety of subjects, not only theological. Geography and travel, History, English literature, Classics and dictionaries take up several shelves. Saxton's Maps of England and Wales are there, together with Mercator's Atlas Novus (1638) and Blaeu's Theatre du Monde of 1645. There are many Bibles, including Cranmer's Great Bible of 1540, the "Breeches Bible" of 1611 and the "Vinegar Bible'' of 1717. There is a fine Baskerville edition of 1763 and Walton's Polyglot.

Since the publication of the 1984 catalogue, the Cathedral has received, on loan, a fine selection of early bibles belonging to Mrs Judith Fyffe, and several other donations of books which continue to add to its value to scholarship and the community.

A new Catalogue was published in 1998.