Chapter I: Preface

When engaged in editing and completing _The Architectural History of the University and Colleges of Cambridge_, I devoted much time and attention to the essay called _The Library_. The subject was entirely new; and the more I looked into it, the more convinced did I become that it would well repay fuller investigation than was then possible. For instance, I felt certain that the Customs affecting monastic libraries would, if one could only discover them, throw considerable light on collegiate statutes relating to the same subject.

The _Architectural History_ having been published, I had leisure to study libraries from my new point of view; and, while thus engaged, I fortunately met with the admirable paper by Dom Gasquet which he modestly calls _Some Notes on Medieval Monastic Libraries_. This brief essay--it occupies only 20 pages--opened my eyes to the possibilities that lay before me, and I gladly place on record here the debt I owe to the historian to whom I have dedicated this book.

When I had the honour of delivering the Rede Lecture before the University of Cambridge in June 1894, I attempted a reconstruction of the monastic library, shewing its relationship, through its fittings, to the collegiate libraries of Oxford and Cambridge; and I was also able, following the example set by Dom Gasquet in the above-mentioned essay, to indicate the value of illuminated manuscripts as illustrating the life of a medieval student or scribe. In my lectures as Sandars Reader in Bibliography, delivered before the University of Cambridge in 1900, I developed the subject still further, extending the scope of my enquiries so as to include the libraries of Greece and Rome.

In writing my present book I have availed myself freely of the three works above mentioned. At the same time I have incorporated much fresh material; and I am glad to take this opportunity of stating, that, with the single exception of the Escorial, I have personally examined and measured every building which I have had occasion to describe; and many of the illustrations are from my own sketches.

I call my book an _Essay_, because I wish to indicate that it is only an attempt to deal, in a summary fashion, with an extremely wide and interesting subject--a subject, too, which might easily be subdivided into separate heads each capable of more elaborate treatment. For instance, with regard to libraries in Religious Houses, I hope to see a book written, dealing not merely with the way in which the books were cared for, but with the subjects most generally studied, as indicated to us by the catalogues which have survived.

A research such as I have had to undertake has naturally involved the co-operation of numerous librarians and others both in England and on the Continent. From all these officials I have experienced unfailing courtesy and kindness, and I beg them to accept this collective expression of my gratitude. To some, however, I am under such particular obligations, that I wish to mention them by name.

In the first place I have to thank my friends Dr Jackson of Trinity College, Dr Sandys of S. John's College, Dr James of King's College, and F. J. H. Jenkinson, M.A., University Librarian, for their kind help in reading proofs and making suggestions. Dr Sandys devoted much time to the revision of the first chapter. As my work deals largely with monastic institutions it is almost needless to say that I have consulted and received efficient help from my old friend W. H. St John Hope, M.A., Assistant Secretary to the Society of Antiquaries.

My researches in Rome were made easy to me by the unfailing kindness and ready help accorded on every occasion by Father C. J. Ehrle, S.J., Prefect of the Vatican Library. My best thanks are also due to Signor Rodolfo Lanciani, to Professor Petersen of the German Archeological Institute, Rome, and to Signor Guido Biagi of the Biblioteca Laurenziana, Florence. At Milan Monsignor Ceriani of the Ambrosian Library was so kind as to have the library photographed for my use.

The courteous officials who administer the great libraries of Paris with so much ability, have assisted me in all my researches. I wish specially to thank in this place M. Leopold Delisle and M. Leon Dorez of the Bibliotheque Nationale; M. A. Franklin of the Bibliotheque Mazarine; M. H. Martin of the Bibliotheque de l'Arsenal; and M. A. Perate, Sous-Conservateur du Chateau de Versailles.

I have also to thank Senor Ricardo Velasquez for his beautiful elevation of the bookcases in the Escorial Library; Father J. van den Gheyn, S.J., of the Royal Library, Brussels, for his trouble in shewing me, and allowing me to have photographed, several MSS. from the library under his charge; my friends Mr T. G. Jackson, R.A., Architect, for lending me his section of Bishop Cobham's library at Oxford; E. W. B. Nicholson, M.A., Librarian, and Falconer Madan, M.A., Sub-Librarian, in the Bodleian Library, for information respecting the building and its contents; Mr F. E. Bickley of the British Museum for much help in finding and examining MSS.; and Lionel Cust, M.A., Director of the National Portrait Gallery, for general direction and encouragement.

Messrs Macmillan have allowed me to use three illustrations which appear in the first chapter; Mr Murray has given the same permission for the woodcut of the carrells at Gloucester; and Messrs Blades for the representation of James Leaver's book-press.

Lastly I wish to thank the staff of the University Press for using their best efforts to produce the work rapidly and well, and for many acts of personal kindness to myself.

JOHN WILLIS CLARK.

SCROOPE HOUSE,
CAMBRIDGE,
_September 23rd, 1901._

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Introduction. Assyrian Record-Rooms. Libraries in Greece, Alexandria,
Pergamon, Rome. Their size, use, contents, and fittings. Armaria or
presses. The Vatican Library of Sixtus V. a type of an ancient
Roman library 1

CHAPTER II.

Christian libraries connected with churches. Use of the apse. Monastic
communities. S. Pachomius. S. Benedict and his successors. Each
House had a library. Annual audit of books. Loan on security. Modes
of protection. Curses. Prayers for donors. Endowment of libraries.
Use of the cloister. Development of Cistercian book-room. Common
press. Carrells 61

CHAPTER III.

Increase of monastic collections. S. Riquier, Bobbio, Durham, Canterbury.
Books kept in other places than the cloister. Expedients for housing
them at Durham, Citeaux, and elsewhere. Separate libraries built in
fifteenth century at Durham, S. Albans, Citeaux, Clairvaux, etc.
Gradual extension of library at S. Germain des Pres. Libraries
attached to Cathedrals. Lincoln, Salisbury, Wells, Noyon, Rouen,
etc. 101

CHAPTER IV.

The fittings of monastic libraries and of collegiate libraries probably
identical. Analysis of some library-statutes. Monastic influence at
the Universities. Number of books owned by Colleges. The collegiate
library. Bishop Cobham's library at Oxford. Library at
Queens' College, Cambridge. At Zutphen. The lectern-system.
Chaining of books. Further examples and illustrations 131

CHAPTER V.

Recapitulation. Invention of the stall-system. Library of Corpus Christi
College, Oxford, taken as a type. System of chaining in Hereford
Cathedral. Libraries of Merton College, Oxford, and Clare College,
Cambridge. The stall-system copied at Westminster Abbey, Wells,
and Durham Cathedrals. This system possibly monastic. Libraries
at Canterbury, Dover Priory, Clairvaux 171

CHAPTER VI.

The lectern-system in Italy. Libraries at Cesena, at the Convent of
S. Mark, Florence, and at Monte Oliveto. Vatican Library of Sixtus IV.
Ducal Library at Urbino. Medicean Library, Florence. System of
chaining there used. Characteristics of medieval libraries 199

CHAPTER VII.

Contrast between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Suppression of
the Monasteries. Commissioners of Edward VI. Subsequent changes in
library fittings. S. John's College, and University Library, Cambridge.
Queen's College, Oxford. Libraries attached to churches and schools.
Chaining in recent times. Chains taken off 245

CHAPTER VIII.

The wall-system. This began on the Continent. Library of the Escorial.
Ambrosian Library at Milan. Library of Cardinal Mazarin. Bodleian
Library at Oxford. Works and influence of Wren. French conventual
libraries of the seventeenth century 267