[2] In 1431 a library building was
begun at Balliol College by Mr. Thomas Chace, after he
had resigned the office of Master. Bishop William Grey,
besides enriching his college with manuscripts, also
completed the home for them (c. 1477), on a window of which
are still to be read his name and the name of Robert
Abdy, the Master.
"His Deus adjecit; Deus his det gaudia celi,
Abdy perfecit opus hoc Gray presul et Ely."[3]
[1] The building, which is still standing as a part of Trinity
College, cost L 42; fittings, L 6, 165. 8d. Blakiston, Trin.
Coll., 26.
[2] James, xlvii.
[3] Cf. Willis, Arch. Hist. Camb., ii. 410.
In another window, on the north side, was inscribed--
"Conditor ecce novi structus hujus fuit Abdy.
Praesul et huic Oedi Gray libros contulit Ely."
The first library of Oriel College, on the east side of
the quadrangle, was not erected until about 1444; before
that the books seem to have been kept in chests, although
the collection was large for the time.[1] As early as 1388-89
payments were made for making desks for the library of
Queen's College.[2] In the case of New, Lincoln, All Souls,
and Magdalen Colleges, library rooms were included when
the college buildings were first erected.
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