[5]
[1] Surtees S., Ixix. 341.
[2] Merryweather, 96-7.
[3] Joh. Glaston, Chronica, ed. Hearne (1726), ii. 423-44;
Merryweather, 140.
[4] Librariam fecit optimum pulcherrimum et copiosum.--Holmes,
Wells and Glastonbury, 229.
[5] MS. Twyne, Bodl. L., 8, 272.
To such facts as these should be added the record of
the Canterbury, Dover, and Bury libraries, the histories of
which have been so admirably written by Dr. M. R. James.[1]
Of the library of St. Albans Abbey we have not such a
fine series of catalogues. Yet no abbey could have a
nobler record. From Paul (1077) to Whethamstede
(d. 1465) nearly all its abbots were book-lovers.[2] Paul
built a writing-room, and put in the aumbries twenty-
eight fine books (volumina notabilia), and eight Psalters,
a Collectarium, books of the Epistles and Gospels for
the year, two copies of the Gospels adorned with gold
and silver and precious stones, without speaking of
ordinals, customaries, missals, troparies, collectaria, and
other books. Here, as everywhere, the library began with
church books: later, easier circumstances made the stream
of knowledge broader, if shallower.
Pages:
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94