J. W. Clark's researches have familiarized us. It
would thus be no place for study, such as the later
libraries were, but merely a storeroom whence books were
fetched to be read at leisure in the cloister."[1] Between
1414 and 1443 a library was built over the Prior's Chapel
by Archbishop Chichele: it was about sixty-two feet long
on the north side, fifty-four on the south side, and twenty-
two feet broad. This was the room which Prior Selling
fitted up with wainscot, and put books in for the benefit
of the studious.[2] At St. Augustine's Abbey, Canterbury,
there was a bookroom in 1340, for the manuscript of the
Ayenbite of Inwyt contains a note that it belongs to the
"bochouse."[3] The form of the catalogue of c. 1497 also
suggests that a bookroom was then in use.
[1] James (M. R.), xliv.
[2] Anglia Sacra, i, 245-6; James (M. R), l-li.
[3] MS. Arundel 57, Brit. Mus. See James (M. R.), lxxvii. "This
boc is dan Michelis of Northgate, y-write an englis of his ozene
hand. thet hatte: Ayenbyte of Inwyt. And is of the bochouse of
Saynt Austines of Canterberi. mid the lettres CC." "Ymende, thet
this boc is volveld ine the eve of the holy apostles Symon an
Judas, of ane brother of the cloystre of Sanynt Austin of
Canterberi, ine the yeare of oure Ihordes beringe (birth) 1340.
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