Norwich Cathedral has had a Library since its foundation.
Learning has always been a key tenet of the Rule of St Benedict. Norwich Cathedral’s Benedictine founder, Herbert de Losinga, stressed the importance of a library to the monastic community. At his death he left a well-established collection.
During the following centuries, Norwich Cathedral Library expanded and played its part in the religious and cultural activities of the community, city and county. At times it was nearly totally destroyed such as during the rioting of 1272, the dissolution of the Benedictine monastery in 1538 and under the Puritans.
This collection of printed books was actively reformed after the Civil War period, being housed at first in the Audit Chamber. The upper south range of the Cloister was refurbished and furnished to accommodate the library in 1913, where it has remained ever since. The oldest item is dated 1474, with increasing numbers of items added in the following centuries. It includes works by and about personalities connected with Norwich Cathedral (such as Edith Cavell) including the theological and literary output of a number of deans, chapter members and Cathedral musicians.
Although predominantly theological in content, the historic collection also includes history (especially local history), literature, art and architecture. Approximately two thirds of the historic collection dates from before 1850, and offers considerable scope for studying the history of printing, bindings and other aspects of the history of the book.
A card catalogue is available in the Library. In addition, the pre-1701 foreign publications are listed on COPAC, a freely available online catalogue giving access to the merged online catalogues of many of the UK’s major university and research libraries. Records of pre-1801 books printed in England are available through the English Short Title Catalogue.
The historic collection is accessible during Library open hours. It is not necessary to make an appointment, although it is helpful if you contact the librarian in advance of your visit.