Now the inventory proves the
library to have been in possession of three hundred and
thirty volumes, stored upon eight stalls or desks on the north
side and upon nine stalls on the southern side, facing King's
College Chapel.[5] But in a few years the buildings were
extended and the collection augmented munificently by
Thomas Rotherham or Scot, then Chancellor of the
University and Bishop of Lincoln, afterwards Archbishop
of York. Rotherham completed the building begun on
the east side of the quadrangle by erecting the library
which occupies the whole of the first floor (1470-75). In
this libraria domini cancellarii his own books were stored.
His generosity was recognised by the University in the
fullest possible manner; special care was taken of his
books, and his library came to be known as the private
library, to which only a few privileged persons were
admitted, while the great library remained in use as the
public room.[6]
[1] Cooper, i. 170; Rotuli Parl., iv. 321.
[2] Willis, Arch. Hist. Camb., iii. 11.
[3] Ibid., iii. 12.
[4] Ibid., iii. 5.
[5] Bradshaw, 35-53; C.A.S Comm., ii. 258.
[6] Willis.
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