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Chained Library, Hereford Cathedral
Chained Library, Hereford Cathedral. Richard Ash, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Chained Library, Hereford Cathedral. Photo: Richard Ash, CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2019-08-20_Hereford_Cathedral_Library_01.jpg
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Hereford Cathedral Chained Library

Hereford, England, 1611–

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The record

Room

  • Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, room: the largest surviving chained library

    unprovenno source
    Cite
    Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, room: the largest surviving chained library
Source: none given
Evidence tier: unproven
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/hereford/#f-room
    Dispute#

Worth knowing

  • Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, worth knowing: In 2007 the Mappa Mundi became the UK's second entry on the UNESCO Memory of the World register.

    primaryherefordcathedral.org
    Cite
    Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, worth knowing: In 2007 the Mappa Mundi became the UK's second entry on the UNESCO Memory of the World register.
Source: https://www.herefordcathedral.org/our-history
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/hereford/#f-0gkywhq
    Dispute#

  • Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, worth knowing: In the Civil War siege of Hereford the dean preached against Parliamentary soldiers' desecration of the cathedral. They threatened to shoot him until their colonel stopped them.

    primaryherefordcathedral.org
    Cite
    Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, worth knowing: In the Civil War siege of Hereford the dean preached against Parliamentary soldiers' desecration of the cathedral. They threatened to shoot him until their colonel stopped them.
Source: https://www.herefordcathedral.org/our-history
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/hereford/#f-1po2o6h
    Dispute#

  • Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, worth knowing: The Mappa Mundi carries about 500 drawings, among them around 420 cities and towns and 33 plants, animals, birds and strange creatures.

    primaryherefordcathedral.org
    Cite
    Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, worth knowing: The Mappa Mundi carries about 500 drawings, among them around 420 cities and towns and 33 plants, animals, birds and strange creatures.
Source: https://www.herefordcathedral.org/mappa-mundi
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/hereford/#f-0ut3cbq
    Dispute#

  • Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, worth knowing: The books face outwards by their fore-edges, not their spines, so a book can be lifted down and opened without tangling its chain.

    primaryherefordcathedral.org
    Cite
    Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, worth knowing: The books face outwards by their fore-edges, not their spines, so a book can be lifted down and opened without tangling its chain.
Source: https://www.herefordcathedral.org/chained-library
Evidence tier: primary
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/hereford/#f-13vfdrj
    Dispute#

Location

  • Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, location: The first library room was established in the south-west cloister of the cathedral in the 15th century.

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, location: The first library room was established in the south-west cloister of the cathedral in the 15th century.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereford_Cathedral_Library
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/hereford/#f-0q6x6vy
    Dispute#

  • Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, location: In 1590 the whole library was moved to the Lady Chapel.

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, location: In 1590 the whole library was moved to the Lady Chapel.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereford_Cathedral_Library
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/hereford/#f-0i4ws32
    Dispute#

Built

  • Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, built: The Chained Library, with manuscripts chained to their places, was established in 1611 by Thomas Thornton.

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, built: The Chained Library, with manuscripts chained to their places, was established in 1611 by Thomas Thornton.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereford_Cathedral_Library
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/hereford/#f-0wkl3if
    Dispute#

Collection

  • Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, collection: the largest surviving chained library in the world

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, collection: the largest surviving chained library in the world
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereford_Cathedral
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/hereford/#f-07sgolo
    Dispute#

  • Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, collection: the Hereford Mappa Mundi is chained beside the books

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, collection: the Hereford Mappa Mundi is chained beside the books
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereford_Cathedral
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/hereford/#f-080b3so
    Dispute#

  • Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, collection: About 229 manuscripts, mainly theological, dated from the 8th to the 16th centuries.

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, collection: About 229 manuscripts, mainly theological, dated from the 8th to the 16th centuries.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereford_Cathedral_Library
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/hereford/#f-1u9mb5n
    Dispute#

  • Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, collection: The Hereford Gospels, in Anglo-Saxon characters, date to around 780 and were the only book to survive the 1055 fire.

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, collection: The Hereford Gospels, in Anglo-Saxon characters, date to around 780 and were the only book to survive the 1055 fire.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereford_Cathedral_Library
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/hereford/#f-07p0sgs
    Dispute#

  • Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, collection: A general survey of chained libraries says only five worldwide survive with their original furniture, chains and books.

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, collection: A general survey of chained libraries says only five worldwide survive with their original furniture, chains and books.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chained_library
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/hereford/#f-0mvprzv
    Dispute#

  • Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, collection: The Hereford Mappa Mundi is the largest medieval map still known to exist

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, collection: The Hereford Mappa Mundi is the largest medieval map still known to exist
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereford_Mappa_Mundi
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/hereford/#f-08gffuj
    Dispute#

What remains

  • Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, what remains: The library is described as the only one of its type to survive with all chains, rods and locks intact.

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, what remains: The library is described as the only one of its type to survive with all chains, rods and locks intact.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereford_Cathedral_Library
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/hereford/#f-07jqspp
    Dispute#

Status today

  • Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, status today: one of only four surviving 1217 Magna Cartas is displayed here

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, status today: one of only four surviving 1217 Magna Cartas is displayed here
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereford_Cathedral
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/hereford/#f-16w7mfm
    Dispute#

  • Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, status today: A new library building designed by Sir William Whitfield was opened on 3 May 1996 by the Queen.

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, status today: A new library building designed by Sir William Whitfield was opened on 3 May 1996 by the Queen.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereford_Cathedral_Library
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/hereford/#f-1jnx8ht
    Dispute#

  • Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, status today: In 1988 the Dean and Chapter proposed selling the Mappa Mundi

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, status today: In 1988 the Dean and Chapter proposed selling the Mappa Mundi
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereford_Cathedral_Library
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/hereford/#f-07qaq2p
    Dispute#

What happened here

  1. 1055Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, damaged, 1055: 1055 fire: the Hereford Gospels the only book to survive

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, damaged, 1055: 1055 fire: the Hereford Gospels the only book to survive
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereford_Cathedral_Library
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/hereford/#e-1s4p6ga
    Dispute#

  2. 1611Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, founded, 1611: Chained Library established by Thomas Thornton

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, founded, 1611: Chained Library established by Thomas Thornton
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereford_Cathedral_Library
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/hereford/#e-1sb8v43
    Dispute#

  3. 1996Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, opened, 1996: New library building by Sir William Whitfield opened by the Queen

    wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
    Cite
    Hereford Cathedral Chained Library, opened, 1996: New library building by Sir William Whitfield opened by the Queen
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hereford_Cathedral_Library
Evidence tier: wikipedia
Last checked: 2026-11-11
WorldLibs: https://worldlibs.pages.dev/libraries/hereford/#e-0qj0g19
    Dispute#

Photographs

Chained books, Hereford Cathedral Library
Chained books, Hereford Cathedral Library. Richard Ash, CC BY-SA 2.0
Use this photo
Chained books, Hereford Cathedral Library. Photo: Richard Ash, CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2019-08-20_Hereford_Cathedral_Library_04.jpg
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Chained Library shelves, Hereford Cathedral
Chained Library shelves, Hereford Cathedral. John Lord, CC BY 2.0
Use this photo
Chained Library shelves, Hereford Cathedral. Photo: John Lord, CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2017-10-04_Chained_Library,_Hereford.jpg
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Chains on the Chained Library, Hereford Cathedral
Chains on the Chained Library, Hereford Cathedral. Richard Ash, CC BY-SA 2.0
Use this photo
Chains on the Chained Library, Hereford Cathedral. Photo: Richard Ash, CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2019-08-20_Hereford_Cathedral_Library_02.jpg
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Hereford Cathedral beyond Wye Bridge, Hereford
Hereford Cathedral beyond Wye Bridge, Hereford. David Merrett, CC BY 2.0
Use this photo
Hereford Cathedral beyond Wye Bridge, Hereford. Photo: David Merrett, CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wye_Bridge,_Hereford.jpg
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Library building, Hereford Cathedral
Library building, Hereford Cathedral. User:Giano II, Public domain
Use this photo
Library building, Hereford Cathedral. Photo: User:Giano II, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hereford_Cathedral_Library.jpg
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Chained Library building, Hereford Cathedral
Chained Library building, Hereford Cathedral. Fabian Musto, CC BY-SA 2.0
Use this photo
Chained Library building, Hereford Cathedral. Photo: Fabian Musto, CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/), via Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hereford_Cathedral_Library_-_geograph.org.uk_-_5733349.jpg
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Sources