Rochester Cathedral - Library

Library

The Anglo-Saxon establishment probably had a library, but no details of it have survived. When Gundulf established the priory in 1082 it was as a Benedictine house. As reading forms a part of the daily routine as laid down in the Rule of Saint Benedict there probably was a library from this point. By the time of Gundulf's death in 1108 the number of monks had risen from the original 22 to over 60, implying a sizeable library.

In the Textus Roffensis of 1130 a catalogue of the library is included within it. There was the famous Gundulf Bible (now in the Huntington Library, California; the Textus itself; scriptural commentaries; treatises by various Church Fathers; historical works (including Bede's Ecclesiastical History) and assorted books on monastic life. Most books were in Latin, with just a few in Anglo-Saxon. One hundred and sixteen books are named, with a further 11 added later. These were volumes; some would contain multiple works within them. A further catalogue compiled in 1202 records 280 volumes. This latter catalogue was only rediscovered in the 19th century. It had been written on two leaves at the beginning of a copy of St Augustine's De Doctrina Christiana belonging to Rochester. The copy is now in the British Museum.

The medieval library was housed in different parts of the cathedral and precincts at different times. The precentor was in charge of it and also responsible for providing the materials needed for the copyists, illuminators and authors to use. Because all copying was by hand and taught locally, monasteries varied in their style. There is an identifiable "Rochester Script" of the 12th century.

When King John besieged the castle (1215) some manuscripts were lost, as were more in 1264 when Simon de Montfort occupied the city.

The dissolution was catastrophic for the library. John Leland, the Royal Librarian and antiquary, complained to Thomas Cromwell that young German scholars were appearing and cutting documents out of books in the cathedral libraries. Leland was able to save some manuscripts and 99 from Rochester are now in the Royal Collection in the British Museum. 37 other works have been traced in England, Scotland, Europe and even the United States.

Following the dissolution, the old vestry to the east of the south quire transept was adopted as the chapter room and library. Notwithstanding its change in designation, it is still used from time to time as a vestry by the clergy. The only contents to survive the dissolution were ancient manuscripts, the 50 volumes predating 1540 appear to have been later acquisitions. The library remained smaller than in medieval times, there were less clergy than monks. The chapter were required to be "leared and erudite" and possess a university degree, so it is postulated that they would have their own personal books. From the 18th century onwards the library grew, in part due to donations made by deans and canons on appointment. Some legacies were received, notably Richard Poley of Rochester whose grave can be seen at the foot of the choir steps. In 1907-9 the east wall of the library was reconstructed, the floor replaced and new bookcases provided by the donation of T. H. Foord, a benefactor of both the city and cathedral.