Among the most important manuscripts
are a mid-fifteenth century copy of old English
romances of great literary value, collected by Robert de
Thornton, archdeacon of Bedford (c. 1430); and a contemporary
copy of Magna Carta.
[1] See list in Giraldus Cambrensis, vii. 165-166.
Section VI
In an inventory of St. Paul's Cathedral, taken in 1245,
mention is made of thirty-five volumes.[1] Before this, in
Ralph of Diceto's time, a binder of books was an officer
of the church. As at Salisbury, the chancellor's duties
included taking charge of the school books. In 1283 a
writer of books was included among the ministers. The
two offices were combined in the beginning of the next
century. When Dean Ralph Baldock made a visitation
of St. Paul's treasury in 1295, he found thirteen Gospels
adorned with precious metals and stones; some other
parts of the Scriptures; and a commentary of Thomas
Aquinas. In 1313 Baldock, who died Bishop of London,
bequeathed fifteen volumes, chiefly theological books.[2]
To Baldock's time probably belongs the reference to
twelve scribes, no doubt retained for business purposes
as well as for book-making.
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