The Cathedral Archives, Libraries and Collections Association WINTER 2018

From the Chairman… Welcome to the year 2019 in the year. Cathedrals have a unique world of cathedral archives, role in conserving, celebrating libraries and collections. After and interpreting the past, as even four years of commemorating the the government acknowledged in First World War, and with other linking its recent repair grants to major commemorations such as the commemoration of the First Magna Carta in recent years, the World War. Perhaps deans and coming year seems to be one chapters have not always been without a major anniversary. Of quick to notice the importance of course, there may be many their own archives, libraries and important anniversaries in the collections in this, but this life of different cathedrals, and it Association exists, not only to will be interesting to hear of encourage the practitioners in significant exhibitions in which those fields, but also to emphasize cathedral archivists, librarians to the wider Cathedral and collections managers find community the importance of I The Very Reverend Peter Atkinson themselves involved over the what we do.

CALCA News… CALCA Triennial Conference 2019, 12th-14th June 2019, Salisbury Cathedral

rrangements for the next CALCA A triennial conference are well in hand and we all at Salisbury look forward to welcoming you. The main venue will be Sarum College (pictured) located in the Cathedral Close. The details of the programme will be finalised in January and then booking information will be circulated. I hope that there will be something for everyone whether you are a librarian, archivist or museum professional and that it will be a good opportunity for us to meet together and share ideas. Sessions/talks will include: cataloguing standards for rare books, archives and objects; volunteers in the heritage industry; undertaking a condition assessment; book provenance; and integrating and using collections to benefit other areas of a cathedral’s work and mission. There will also be opportunities to visit the Cathedral Archive and Library. Lots more is also in the planning pipeline! Emily Naish, Cathedral Archivist

Newsletter – Winter 2018 • 1 CALCA Day Conference 2018

embers of the Association AR project being developed freelance conservator who has M gathered at Exeter between the University of worked on numerous projects Cathedral on 12th June 2018 for Exeter, Exeter Cathedral and assessing and treating historic the AGM and a day of talks Fougères Castle in France. This painted surfaces in Exeter taking the theme ‘Unlocking the project will make use of Cathedral. Recently that work Potential’. augmented reality and virtual has included a project on the Ann Barwood and her reality technology to transform Cathedral’s West Front and colleagues were welcoming hosts the experiences of tourists in Eddie showed the conference a and had organised a full and heritage sites. Extensive data has striking reconstruction of how fascinating programme for the been gathered from studying the the stonework might have day exploring many of the ways behaviour of visitors to Exeter appeared in the 15th century in in which historical material can Cathedral to determine where all its multi-coloured glory. be used to advance research, value can be added to their During the afternoon the AGM engage visitors and support experiences. Laurence has was held. It was reported that restoration projects. Five worked closely with the Library three grants had recently been sessions demonstrated the and Archives teams to consider awarded by CALCA to support admirable array of projects with ways in which this technology work on cathedral archives, which Exeter Cathedral Archives can improve access to their libraries and collections. News is involved and provided much collections and enhance visitors’ was shared of ongoing projects at food for thought for all who appreciation of the Cathedral’s Gloucester, Salisbury, York attended. history. Minster and Christ Church, Dr Elizabeth New and John PhD student Jesse Lynch Dublin. Janet Berry kindly McEwan spoke about their work shared some of his research into updated those present on CFCE’s using new forensic technologies the early use of paper. Typically work towards improving and digital photography to this is considered an early guidance for cathedral enhance historical studies. Dr modern medium, but research in inventories. New is working on the Imprint the archives of Exeter Cathedral Rosemary Firman (Librarian at Project, which analyses in great and other institutions with ) and Simon detail the palm and finger prints medieval origins has revealed Carter (Collections Manager at St left on wax seals by those who that paper was in use as early as Paul’s Cathedral) were appointed handled them as they were the 13th century. Jesse’s to the CALCA committee, with formed. The project considers research explores the extent of Ann Barwood and Gudrun what can be learnt from these this and its impact on scribal Warren stepping down from prints about administrative and practice and international trade. their positions. legal processes. Meanwhile, John After a very tasty lunch two of The day conference was McEwan’s work for the Digital the Archives’ regular volunteers, therefore Ann Barwood’s final Sigillography Resource—a Angela Doughty and Phil Hobbs, event as Vice-Chairperson of project at the University of St talked about the opportunities CALCA. At the close of the day Louis, Missouri—is compiling a they have had to explore the the Chairman gave a short central, digital database where Cathedral’s Act Books and other speech and presented a bouquet highly detailed images of seals old documents and how this has of flowers to thank Ann both for from many different collections enriched their understanding of organising a splendid day and for can be studied and compared. the Cathedral’s past. It has also her contributions to the You can explore this resource at enabled them to discover some Association over many years. www.digisig.org. wonderful stories which they Exeter Cathedral’s Marketing shared with us. Kate McQuillian, Manager, Laurence Blyth, spoke The final presentation of the St George’s Chapel, Windsor to us about the exciting VISTA- day was given by Eddie Sinclair, a

2 • The Cathedral Archives, Libraries and Collections Association I really didn’t know what I was New CALCA Committee Member letting myself in for, so when I projects. I’ve never been bored in found that the Cathedral was an this job. open, inclusive, non-judgmental At the age of 15, I was place, with no airs or graces, I felt commandeered into becoming I was amongst like-minded organist of my parish church people. To lead a small team of despite the fact that I’d only dedicated professionals who are played the organ twice, and the full of common sense, second time was for a wedding imagination and with good because the real organist failed to senses of humour is a privilege. turn up. The fees seemed good, so It’s great to feel part of a long I stuck with it, and at university, continuum of worship and where I studied music, I was an learning. The best part of my organ scholar and a member of work is when I feel I’ve advanced the Schola Cantorum, and fell learning and understanding a absolutely in love with the music tiny bit by the support I’ve given I Dr Rosemary Firman of the English choral tradition. to a visiting researcher or s Cathedral Librarian I’m As a child, when asked what I someone searching for A responsible both for the would wish for if a fairy with a knowledge. I find joy in my work care of the Cathedral’s historic magic wand appeared, I said ‘a and feel it is all so worthwhile, collections and for organising room full of books’. Well, I got which is marvellous. access to them in a multitude of my wish, as I went on to become In my ‘spare’ time, I also work ways, with the support of my a music librarian at various for my husband ’s business, colleagues Elizabeth Semper universities and conservatoires, Golden Chord, a specialist Braille O’Keefe (Archivist) and Emma starting in Nottingham, then music transcription service. I’ve Semple (Library and Archives Manchester and eventually helped to proofread everything Assistant), and the help of a London. I got increasingly inter- from ‘Bless this house’ wonderful team of volunteers. ested in special collections and to Symphonie fantastique. Many people think that rare books and in 2003 escaped Scrutinising every detail of a librarians and archivists lead to the country to work on the musical score, if the music is quiet lives, but in reality we face huge private library at Longleat good, is fascinating. I’d like more a constant barrage of enquiries House. Then towards the end of time for gardening, playing the from all sorts of interesting 2010 I saw an advertisement for piano and wandering in wild people from all round the world, my present job and thought places. and are involved in unexpected ‘Chained Library, Mappa Dr Rosemary Firman, happenings and exciting Mundi—wow! Go for it girl!’ Librarian

News from the Members…

Canterbury Cathedral Alison succeeds Ashleigh working on several digitisation Hawkins, who left the staff in projects, including latterly the t the end of October, the August to take up a PhD. Alison project to digitise pre-1200 A department welcomed Dr comes to us from the British manuscripts at the BL and at the Alison Ray as Assistant Archivist. Library, where she has been Bibliothèque Nationale de France

Newsletter – Winter 2018 • 3 funded by the Polonsky Advent Calendar on the Culture at the University of York Foundation. Lucy Splarn took up Cathedral’s social media. The has produced an extraordinary the position of Archives and purchase attracted a high level of resource on pilgrimage at Library Assistant (Printed Books) interest from the press, local to Canterbury, including animated at the beginning of September. international. digital reconstructions of scenes We were deeply saddened to around Becket’s shrine. For learn of the death in July of details, see James (Jim) Wayre. Jim was the http://www.christianityandcultu conservator and bookbinder here re.org.uk/resources/becket- from 1971 until his retirement in pilgrimage-and-canterbury 2001. Cressida Williams, Head of Archives and Library

I The Lyghfield Bible. The transfer to the here have been some History and Library Centre of the Tsignificant staffing changes archive of the Diocese of at Durham Cathedral Library Canterbury has now been recently. After the retirement of I The Lyghfield Bible. completed by Kent County Canon Rosalind Brown in the In the summer, we were Council, and went very smoothly. summer, we welcomed Canon successful in securing for the The early 10th-century Charlie Allen to the post of collections at auction a late 13th- ‘Fonthill Letter’ and the pocket Canon Chancellor and Canon century manuscript illuminated sundial have been lent to the Librarian in September. We will ‘pocket’ Bible, now known as the British Library for its exhibition Lyghfield Bible. The Bible was in ‘Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms’. the possession of William As the culmination of her Lyghfield, monk of the Cathedral residency, the Cathedral’s Artist right up to the Reformation. It is in Residence for 2018, Dawn the only complete Bible from the Cole, presented in the Chapter Cathedral Priory’s medieval book House an exhibition called collection now at the Cathedral, ‘Remember Me?!’ This exhibition and the finest complete marked the anniversary of the illuminated book from that Armistice and was based on collection held here. The items in the collections, I purchase was supported very including photographs and a The Rev’d Canon Charlie Allen. generously by the National commemorative scrapbook. She also be welcoming Alison Heritage Memorial Fund, with also led the ‘Diaries of the Here Cullingford, currently Head of further help from the Friends of and Now’ project, which gathered Special Collections at Bradford Canterbury Cathedral, the diaries kept by individuals on University, as our new Head of Friends of the National Libraries 11th November this year, to be Collections in January 2019, (for which see below), and a kept for posterity in the Archives following the departure of Lisa di private donation. The Bible is due and Library. This project was Tommaso in April 2018. We look to be displayed in the new collaborative with the University forward to welcoming Alison to exhibition area in the Crypt of Kent. the team! which is being developed as part As part of its ‘Pilgrimage and We have had a number of of The Canterbury Journey, and English Cathedrals’ project, the temporary exhibitions running it will also be featured in a daily Centre for Christianity and in our Open Treasure spaces,

4 • The Cathedral Archives, Libraries and Collections Association delegates into the Refectory available 76 works adopted Library for a display of medieval immediately. As Durham manuscripts and treasures that Cathedral Library has no budget included the Durham Gospels, for conservation for its early our 8th-century edition of printed collections, this project Cassiodorus’s Commentary on allows us the opportunity to not the Psalms and all four volumes only fundraise for the care and of the beautiful Le Puiset Bible. conservation of the books in the We have also had public Refectory Library, but also helps Treasures of Durham Cathedral raise the profile of the Library Library events on the subjects of and its collections. The project ‘Inventors and Innovators’ (June has raised around £25,000 to 2018) and ‘Art’ (November date since its initial launch in 2018), which have afforded us October 2016, and we hope it will the opportunity to open the run for a number of years yet. I Alison Cullingford. Refectory Library to members of More information on the Adopt- including ‘Tudors: The Family the public. a-Book project can be found here: and Faith in Durham’ (February- Four of the Library’s www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/get June 2018) and ‘Miners: Pitmen, manuscripts – a 7th-century -involved/adopt-a-book Pride and Prayer’ (June- Gospel book fragment, the A dedicated team of volunteers September 2018), while our Durham Gospels, a 10th-century continues to transcribe the current exhibition, which runs Collectar known as the Durham journals of former Bishop of until February 2019, is Ritual, and Cassiodorus’s Durham Herbert Hensley ‘Armistice: Living with the Expositio Psalmorum, dating Henson, as part of the ‘Church, Peace’. While all of our from the 8th century – as well as State and Nation: The Journals exhibitions have a strong local two of our Anglo-Saxon stones, of Herbert Hensley Henson, connection, ‘Miners’ and are currently on loan to the 1900-1939’ project, run by ‘Armistice’ in particular have had British Library, as part of their Durham University. To date, our a number of contributions and ‘Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms: Art, volunteers have transcribed loans from members of the Word, War’ exhibition. around 25 complete volumes, Cathedral’s community, These manuscripts – along with a total of around 1.2 million including medals, poppies, with around 160 others – have words so far as they approach the miners’ lamps and other family also been digitised as part of the half-way point. Further heirlooms. ‘Feasting and Fasting: Durham Priory Library Recreated information about this project The Great Kitchen at Durham project, which aims eventually to can be found here: Cathedral’ will be opening in digitise all the remaining books www.dur.ac.uk/research/director February. of the pre-Reformation Durham y/view/?mode=project&id=1000 Our reduced staffing for much Priory as currently held at the We continue to purchase new of this year has limited the Cathedral, Durham University, works of theology for the Sharp number of outreach activities we and Ushaw College. A number of Library (owned by the Lord have been able to offer. However, these have been uploaded and Crewe Trustees, but we have still managed to can be viewed, in full and free of administered on their behalf by welcome a number of groups to charge, via the project website: Durham Cathedral Library), and the Library, including, most www.durhampriory.ac.uk/ new works relevant to the significantly, the Association of Durham Cathedral Library’s Chapter Library collections. Our International Bibliophiles who third Adopt-a-Book catalogue modern collections are accessible were holding their annual was launched to coincide with Monday to Friday, 10.00am- conference in Durham and York the Durham Book Festival in 4.30pm (with last entry at in September. Over the course of October 2018, and has got off to 4.00pm), while our reading room a day, we welcomed around 120 a good start, with 15 of the continues to operate three days

Newsletter – Winter 2018 • 5 every week (Tuesday to every day. However, to get until 6th January 2019. The first Thursday, 10.00 am–1.00 pm and treasures from Exeter approach by the Ashmolean was 2.00 pm–4.30 pm). If anyone is Cathedral’s Library and Archives made in March 2017. The figures interested in making an displayed on the international are unique in England and were appointment, please contact stage is something we would like concealed, placed or suspended, us by e-mail at to do more of in the future. near the tomb of Edmund Lacy [email protected] Lending items requires a lot of (Bishop of Exeter 1420-55), and we’d love to hear from you! preparation work. Once letters of were re-discovered in 1943 Sarah-Jane Raymond, request are received considerable following the bombing of the Assistant Librarian paperwork is required: formal Cathedral. application forms; standard To the exhibition ‘Anglo-Saxon facilities and security reports; Kingdoms: Art, Word, War’ at the Durham University valuation and condition reports. British Library until 19th he university administers With these in place, the February 2019, the Cathedral has T the cathedral’s archive on application with our lent the Exeter Book (pictured behalf of the cathedral, along recommendation is presented to below), a grant of privileges by with various other archive Chapter and the Cathedral’s King AEthelred the Unready to collections which the cathedral Fabric Advisory Committee who Eldred, Bishop of Cornwall, has acquired over time. These are can give approval or may refer AD994, and a biofoliate from supported by a collection of to the Cathedrals Fabric Exon Domesday. With all the printed primary and secondary Commission for England. This is paperwork and permissions in sources, largely medieval in to ensure cathedrals do not loan place, travel arrangements with a scope, bequeathed by a late items without due diligence. museums transport company colleague Alan Piper. With the When all the permissions have were finalised and on 10th aid of a CALCA grant – in fact the been granted, then we work with October we saw Ellie Jones set residue of the Radcliffe Trust the organisation requesting the off for London in a specially grant to the Association in the loan to arrange transport, and equipped unmarked van with our 1990s – these have now been display requirements. three items in a foam lined catalogued into the university The Cathedral has lent wax wooden crate, which was bolted system so that ourselves, and votive figures to the exhibition down in our presence. students and academics, can now ‘Spellbound: Magic, Ritual and On 18th October, Peter access more readily this Witchcraft’, being held at the Thomas and I attended a private important additional resource Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, view at the British Library of this for anyone interested in exploring the history of Durham Cathedral and its collections. Stansfield, Deputy Head of Archives and Special Collections

Exeter Cathedral etween August and October, B the Library and Archives prepared a number of documents and other items for transport to go on display in two major exhibitions. Sending items on loan is not something we do

6 • The Cathedral Archives, Libraries and Collections Association major exhibition which has Semple who, like James, is Lambeth Palace received five-star press reports. currently on the distance To see the four codices of Anglo- learning MA in Archives he construction of the new Saxon poetry lying side-by-side Administration course at TLambeth Palace Library is in a display case was just Aberystwyth University. progressing well, on time and amazing. For the first time, the Canon Chancellor Chris Pullin budget. Practical completion for Exeter Book is on display has been on sabbatical for three the building is scheduled for together with the British months, an extended retreat April 2020. The next key phases Library’s unique manuscript of involving the exploration of faith are the start of the brickwork Beowulf, the Vercelli Book through painting. We are looking which is planned for late (returning to England for the forward to having him back with November 2018 and the next first time from the Biblioteca us in December and to viewing public milestone will be topping Capitolare in Vercelli) and the the results, although we have not out of the building in summer Junius Manuscript on loan from made any promises about 2019. the Bodleian Library. hanging them on the wall! The project has achieved Building Research Establishment Canon Ann Barwood, We have been successful in Environmental Assessment Canon Librarian gaining HLF funding to restore and improve the facilities in the Method (BREEAM) excellent cloisters of the College of Vicars status for the pre-construction Hereford Cathedral Choral and as part of this we will phase which is in line with our r Bethany Hamblen, who be supporting the work of a aim for the building to be as D joined us in July 2017, left research intern and the outreach environmentally friendly as us in October 2018 to take up the associated with the project. possible and to achieve an overall post of Archivist at Balliol We have also been working BREEAM excellent rating once College, Oxford. Her with the British artist Yinka the project is completed and the replacement as Cathedral Shonibare, who is creating a new building is in use. BREEAM is an textile work based on the international scheme that Hereford Mappa Mundi. This will provides independent third party be on show within the Mappa certification of the assessment Mundi and Chained Library from of the sustainability perfor- 21st January to 1st June 2019. mance of individual buildings, communities and infrastructure Dr Rosemary Firman, Librarian projects.

I Elizabeth Semper O’Keefe. Archivist is Elizabeth Semper O’Keefe, who takes up the post in December. Elizabeth was formerly in charge of the Herefordshire Archives and Records Centre (HARC), so brings with her a huge amount of local knowledge and relevant experience. James North, our Library and Archives Assistant, now has a job at Lambeth Palace Library and his post has been filled by Emma I A still image from the time lapse camera showing construction of the new Library.

Newsletter – Winter 2018 • 7 Salisbury Cathedral embers of CALCA will, no M doubt, be aware that 2018 has not been an easy year for Salisbury. The beginning of 2018 saw the nerve agent terrorist attack which tragically caused the death of one person and has had significant consequences for the city’s economy. More recently the display case of our 1215 Magna Carta was attacked:

The Foundation stone for the building was unveiled and blessed by Archbishop Justin on 25th October 2018 and will be within the entrance lobby of the building.

I The damaged Magna Carta case.

the attacker was arrested on site having been followed and wrestled to the ground by Finally, the Archbishop climbed to the top of the crane in October Cathedral staff. Fortunately no and is seen here with two of the staff from Knight Harwood, our one was hurt and Magna Carta construction company. remained undamaged. This does Declan Kelly, Director of Libraries and Archives mean, though, that Magna Carta cannot be returned to public display until a new case has been constructed and installed. In the Archive and Library we are continuing to work with our colleagues across the Cathedral such as those in fundraising, education and PR to support them and to ensure the collections play an integral role within the organisation. Our ‘Beyond the Library Door’ project, which I wrote about in the last newsletter, is

8 • The Cathedral Archives, Libraries and Collections Association other cathedrals we are also Chapel) or can take a lift to considering how we can improve triforium level. An enclosed the management and care of our ‘bridge’ leads into the triforium objects starting with those listed space, passing two new windows on our current inventory. specially designed to incorporate Looking further ahead, in 2020 some of the many thousand Salisbury Cathedral celebrates fragments of stained glass the 800th anniversary of the retrieved when the vault pockets laying of the foundation stones beneath the the triforium floor (and thus the development of the were emptied of accumulated current city of Salisbury): there debris. The windows were will be a number events to mark designed and made for us by the and celebrate this across the city. Canterbury Glass Studios and the Emily Naish, Archivist larger of the two also incorporates the names of the major financial donors who made progressing well. Our new the triforium project possible. collection management system, The eastern triforium is a vast Collections Index+, has been long-held aspiration to open area that mirrors the footprint of installed and is already in A up the eastern triforium of the transept aisles, ambulatory constant use by staff and Westminster Abbey to visitors and radiating chapels below. volunteers. We are now came to fruition on 8th June Much enabling work was developing the OPAC which I when HM The Queen formally required before it could be hope will be ready for launch in opened The Queen’s Diamond turned into gallery space as the early 2019. We held a very Jubilee Galleries. What was original floor was on two successful project public previously an ‘attic’ storage different levels and the Abbey’s discovery day in October which space, 16 metres above the floor main heating system ran round included a show and tell by the of the Abbey, has now become a the triforium in a series of cast project volunteers talking about permanent exhibition space iron pipes mounted above the the books which they have which also offers magnificent floor. Anyone wanting to enjoy discovered in the Library, book views down into the Abbey and the spectacular views down into cleaning demonstrations and outside to the Palace of the Abbey was protected from open afternoons with book Westminster and Parliament the drop 16m drop to the floor displays in both the Cathedral Square. Library and Sarum College Visitors enter the galleries Library. We are now planning our from the eastern side of the next discovery day for April 2019 south transept passing through which will have a specific focus the Poets’ Corner Door. This on book bindings; during the takes visitors to the site of a new same week the library will be the access tower, designed by the venue for an exhibition of Abbey’s Surveyor of the Fabric, modern book binders by the Ptolemy Dean, and called the Wessex Guild of Book Binders Weston Tower in honour of the alongside our historic bindings Weston family who were (‘Bindings Ancient and generous supporters of this Modern’!). project. From a small lobby Other news: we have received visitors can choose to climb the approval from CFCE to rebind, stairs (from which there are ever- conserve and digitise our 10th- changing views of the Chapter century psalter. Along with many House and Henry VII’s Lady

Newsletter – Winter 2018 • 9 below by nothing more than a our choice of exhibition excavated in the Abbey’s series of single horizontal designers: MUMA (McInnes precincts in the 19th century. scaffolding poles fixed at waist Usher McKnight Architects), Also displayed here is the height between the arches of the who were responsible for the splendid model commissioned by arcading. The transformation has design of the Medieval and Sir Christopher Wren to explore been remarkable. There is now a Renaissance Galleries at the V&A whether the Abbey might new oak floor on a single level, some years ago, brought to the support a central tower and spire with the heating pipes now triforium their remarkable vision (he decided against it) and a running beneath, and a metal of an exhibition in which the display of drawings by Wren and balustrade between all the arches Abbey itself was the principle Hawksmoor presenting various of the arcade has made the exhibit. There is no prescribed schemes for completing the west triforium safe and looks as route, but instead visitors tower and the space over the though it has always been part of explore the triforium at will as a crossing. A digital reconstruction the Abbey’s fabric. Thirteenth- series of unfolding spaces. of the history of the buildings century carved heads, part of the An important element of the shows the visitor how the site original decoration of this part of preparation of the galleries was a has developed from the 10th Henry III’s abbey church, have detailed analysis of light levels century to the present day. been cleaned and carefully lit and through a light-mapping exercise The second theme, ‘Worship are regularly on view to visitors which traced where light fell in and Daily Life’, reminds visitors for the first time since they were the triforium throughout the of the fundamental purpose of carved in the 1240 and 1250s. year. This enabled us to identify the Abbey as a place of worship. Within the galleries, some 300 those areas which had Key exhibits here are the exhibits are displayed, covering consistently low light levels and Westminster Retable (the the whole range of the Abbey’s were therefore best suited to the original altarpiece of Henry III’s collections. This includes almost display of textiles, manuscripts church), the late 14th-century all the items previously displayed and printed books. The quality of Litlyngton Missal (pictured) in the cramped surroundings of ‘sunbeams and shadows’ in the the old Undercroft Museum, but triforium has been an important many more things besides inspiration in MUMA’s design. including, for the first time, a Another vital element was the proper public display of treasures decision to commission display from the Library and Muniment cases from the German company Room. We were very fortunate in Glasbau Hahn. Individually designed for the exhibits, and in most cases faced with panels of Purbeck Grub (to echo the Purbeck marble shafts of the arcade pillars) the cases are not only precision pieces of engineering but also beautiful artefacts in their own right. The exhibition has four main themes. In the first, ‘Building from the Library (with a digitised Westminster Abbey’, the visitor version close by), and a large sees exhibits which show how the display of liturgical plate from Abbey’s architecture has always the Abbey and St Margaret’s been changing. This section Church. A short film, silent but includes our oldest exhibit, a with subtitles, gives visitors an Roman sarcophagus re-used for insight into the worshipping life an Anglo-Saxon burial, and of the Abbey.

10 • The Cathedral Archives, Libraries and Collections Association The largest theme is commemorating the writers many challenges along the way, ‘Westminster Abbey and the John Gay and Nicholas Rowe. but we are proud of what has Monarchy’. Here the visitor Moved to the triforium from the been achieved, and have been encounters the remarkable series south transept in the 1930s delighted by the positive of royal funeral effigies, the (after they were found to be reactions from visitors and the oldest of which were carried on covering medieval wall media. I look forward to having coffins at medieval royal funerals paintings) these fine works of the chance to say more about the and are now displayed reclining, sculpture are now on public planning of the Galleries at the to emphasise their original display again after many decades. CALCA conference in June next purpose. The later royal effigies, The Galleries have been a year. including the flamboyant Charles major project for the Abbey Tony Trowles, II in his own Garter robes, now Collection team. There were Head of the Abbey Collection

Other News…

The Friends of the National Libraries

he Friends of the National the remainder coming from your TLibraries (FNL) helps own or other sources. We can libraries, museums and record also respond to applications offices acquire books, where no other money is manuscripts and archives. The available, so long as you have FNL helps the nation’s libraries thoroughly explored all other fill much of the north transept not just national libraries. Our possible sources of support. Our aisle, together with the replica grants enable you to acquire grants tend to be in the range of Regalia used for coronation books, manuscripts and archives £1,000 to £20,000, with most rehearsals. Two films help that your institution would not grants being between £2k and visitors to understand the otherwise have the resources to £10k. Receiving a grant from the purpose of the effigies and the purchase. FNL often helps unlock other meaning of the coronation We offer significant financial sources of funding. ceremony. help to county record offices, Applying for a grant is easy, The later wax effigies (the last university libraries, national you just need to write a letter of of the series is Lord Nelson) are libraries, cathedrals, museums application and email it to the displayed in the south transept and art galleries to help them Nell Hoare, Secretary of FNL aisle. Here, the theme of ‘The acquire the full range of written [email protected] Abbey and National Memory’ and printed material. Our two Whilst we prefer to consider explores Westminster Abbey as a main criteria when awarding grant applications at one of our place of commemoration and grants are the historical, literary regular meetings, we can give you memorialisation. A film shows and other qualities of the a decision quickly if you face an how memorials are still created proposed acquisition and its auction or similar sale deadline. and introduces the Grave of the significance to your collection. If your application is not urgent, Unknown Warrior and the theme We also take into account price, our next application deadlines of Remembrance. Here also are condition and provenance. are: 1st March 2019 & 24th May two fine sculpted 18th-century We usually contribute part of 2019. Decisions will be given monuments by Michael Rysbrack the cost of an acquisition, with within two weeks of these dates.

Newsletter – Winter 2018 • 11 For details of the application as our Annual Report, which Applications must be sub- process, terms and conditions of gives a good idea of the range of mitted on our application form, grant, as well as what to include acquisitions that that we can which you can download from in your letter of application see support. our website: www.nmct.co.uk the FAQ section of the FNL’s If you have any queries about If you have any queries about website: our grants and our application whether your project is eligible or www.friendsofnationallibraries process please get in touch with about our application process .org.uk Nell at the email address you are most welcome to contact The website also contains a [email protected] Mrs Nell Hoare, who manages database of all past grants as well Nell Hoare the Trust. You can contact her either through the NMCT’s website or at [email protected] The National Manuscripts Conservation Trust NMCT is the only grant giver solely focused on manuscript he National Manuscripts We welcome grant appli- conservation and we are keen to T Conservation Trust offers cations from non-national spread the benefit of the funding grants for the conservation and institutions such as county that we have available, so do preservation of manuscripts and record offices, museums, consider applying. archives. Since the NMCT was university archives/special founded in 1990 it has awarded collections, cathedral archives Nell Hoare grants of over £3m, which have and libraries, as well as owners of enabled the conservation of manuscripts that are exempt The National hundreds of musical, literary, from capital taxation or owned Cathedrals Conference architectural and other vital by a charitable trust. historical documents. Our grants Our grants can cover n September, I was fortunate ensure that these important conservation, binding and other I enough to attend the National collections can once more be preservation measures, including Cathedrals Conference in made accessible to the public and digitisation (providing it is part Manchester, entitled ‘Sacred researchers. of a wider conservation project). Space, Common Ground’. This The next deadline for the The significance of the collection was the first conference to gather submission of applications is 1st or items to be conserved, as well a wide range of representation April 2019 and the results will be as the proposed conservation from English cathedrals, and it announced in early July. If you treatment, are carefully reviewed attracted some 500 delegates, want to plan ahead, the deadline by Trustees when making their including delegates from after that is 1st October 2019. decisions. Australia, Wales and the Republic of Ireland. The coverage of the Among the grants awarded to Cathedrals, or for Cathedral collections, conference was very broad. In his are: introduction in the programme, I Winchester Cathedral: The Winchester Bible Adrian Dorber, Dean of Lichfield and Chair of the Association of I Gloucester Cathedral English Cathedrals, outlined I Hereford Cathedral: themes for the conference: ‘the Conservation of 12th-century glossed Psalter, MS 0.VI.12 times we’re living in, the politics I St Paul’s Cathedral: Conservation of the architectural archive of our present culture, the assets I Westminster Abbey: of faith, holiness, beauty and Rehousing of Westminster Abbey’s royal grants and charters spirituality that are our heritage, I Worcester Cathedral: Conservation of medieval manuscripts and how we listen and learn from I Exeter Cathedral: Conservation of Exeter Cathedral Archives the poor and marginalised and be I Hampshire Record Office: people of reconciliation, makers Winchester Cathedral pre-1540 court and account rolls of peace, and bearers of hope’.

12 • The Cathedral Archives, Libraries and Collections Association Fields, St Paul’s, Winchester Cathedral and Salisbury Cathedral. He highlighted the recent doves installation at Salisbury Cathedral, describing how this spread throughout the city and indeed became a project for communal renewal after the poisoning in the city. In his talk, Fr Timothy Radcliffe, a Dominican friar, outlined how cathedrals could be places where equal friendships can be cultivated, in the tradition of orders of friars, and where disagreement can be I Manchester Cathedral. there was a clear message over comfortable. Modern art can Keynote speakers in particular the conference that in order to stimulate fruitful debate in just covered these themes. stay the same, we need to this way. More practical issues were change, to keep up with change covered in workshops. In around us. Thus, our collecting, addition, many useful informal curating and conserving cannot conversations were had, and stand still. there were opportunities to see Another clear theme was the some of Manchester and its need to be daring and to heritage. Overall, it was a highly experiment. Archbishop Justin engaging and stimulating few suggested that cathedrals should days, with much for delegates to be ground for fun and think about and apply to their imagination, and this can be own cathedrals and areas of reflected in our collecting and I work. This summary brings our curating. Sandy Nairne, Fr Timothy Radcliffe, OP. together some reflections—by We were reminded of the definition subjective—on the Benedictine origins of many of conference for those working our cathedrals, and the need to with cathedral archives, libraries be hospitable and welcoming to and collections. all, which is a core element of A number of sessions explored Christian faith. We were also what cathedrals are, and why— reminded of the role of the including the ecclesiology and cathedral as the seat of the theology of cathedrals. A strong bishop and a focal point for his or theme was the importance of her teaching. Our written tradition, of what has been collections tell the story of this I Sandy Nairne and Kate Middleton. handed down to us, of continuity hospitality over the centuries; of use—all clearly represented in formerly of the National Portrait our object collections are the historic collections. In his Gallery and now Chair of the equipment and furniture to recorded welcome, Archbishop Fabric Advisory Committee of St make our spaces hospitable and Justin suggested that cathedrals Paul’s Cathedral, provided some fit for worship. Thus, our are testimony to Jesus’s words in examples of modern art in collections can have a core role in St Matthew’s Gospel ‘I am with cathedrals and churches, the overall missions of you until the end of time’. But including in St Martin’s in the cathedrals. A number of sessions

Newsletter – Winter 2018 • 13 considered how cathedrals could reviews, for which good record- and should tell their stories. The keeping practices will be key. Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell, Bishop There was coverage of the of Chelmsford, reflected on the anniversary of the end of World need to tell the ‘why’ as well as War I, for which there are many the ‘what’ (for example, to relevant items in our collections, explain the need for a font as well and also of the annual as the history of a particular Parliament Week each specimen). He also stressed the November, co-ordinated by UK Parliament in collaboration with the . (See I Dr Louise Hampson. https://www.ukparliamentweek. org/) And less structured time Interpreting cathedrals for during the conference enabled younger people who are not delegates to hear about ideas and familiar with faith or church practices in other cathedrals. emerged as particularly A key message from the important. conference is that each cathedral Bishop Stephen emphasised is different, and there isn’t an the importance of beauty for the approach which will work in I The Rt Rev’d Stephen Cottrell. Christian faith, alongside truth every case, whether that be for need to explain our faith to our and goodness. This was also administration, finance or visitors, as well as the history picked up by Dame Fiona mission. We will all have reflected by our buildings, which Reynolds, formerly of the differing needs and priorities. is indeed often prioritised in But there is much common interpretation. We considered ground, and developing a shared the importance of signage and understanding can only be interpretation in a session led by beneficial. We are sacred spaces, the Rev Dr Dee Dyas and Dr and all aspects of our activity need to work within the context of faith and mission. The conference provided reassurance — sometimes implicit — within our sacred spaces of our collections. We should be encouraged that the management, development, I Dame Fiona Reynolds. exploitation and care of our National Trust, now Chair of the collections sits at the heart of Cathedrals Fabric Commission what cathedrals do. for England. We house many Cressida Williams, objects of great beauty in our I Canterbury Cathedral The Reverend Dr Dee Dyas. cathedral collections, and these Louise Hampson, who have have a core role in presenting our worked on the interpretation of a faith to others. number of our cathedrals and Other more practical issues of highlighted some useful relevance to archives, libraries examples. Other sessions and collections were covered. touched on educational visits to There was a useful outline of cathedrals and outreach. forthcoming safeguarding

14 • The Cathedral Archives, Libraries and Collections Association THE CATHEDRAL ARCHIVES, LIBRARIES AND COLLECTIONS ASSOCIATION

HE CATHEDRAL ARCHIVES, LIBRARIES AND COLLECTIONS ASSOCIATION is for anyone responsible for and Tworking with historic collections – books, archives and objects – in the cathedrals and related organisations of Great Britain and Ireland to provide for the development of best practice in and the exchange of information about all aspects of the care, development and promotion of those collections, to secure their continuing educational role within the wider mission of their governing bodies. For our webpages, see http://cathedrallibrariesandarchives.wordpress.com/ Enquiries about membership should be directed to the Honorary Secretary or Treasurer. Committee Contacts Chairman: The Very Rev Peter Atkinson, Dean of Worcester Vice Chairman: Vacant Honorary Treasurer: Dr Michael Stansfield, Durham University Library. Email [email protected] Honorary Secretary: Ms Judith Curthoys, The Archives, Christ Church Oxford. Email [email protected] Assistant Secretary: Mrs Katie Flanagan, Brunel University. Email [email protected] Committee Members:

Dr Claire Breay, British Library. Email [email protected] Mr Simon Carter, Head of Collections – St Paul’s Cathedral. Email [email protected] Dr Rosemary Firman, Hereford Cathedral. Email [email protected] Ms Vicky Harrison, York Minster. Email [email protected] Dr Norman James, formerly The National Archives. Email [email protected] Ms Kate McQuillian, St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. Email [email protected] Mrs Cressida Williams, Canterbury Cathedral Archives and Library. Email cressida.williams@canterbury- cathedral.org

We aim to produce two issues of this newsletter each year, in summer and winter. Any contributions should be sent to the Editor, Mrs Cressida Williams, either by email to cressida.williams@canterbury- cathedral.org or by post to her at Canterbury Cathedral Archives and Library, The Precincts, Canterbury CT1 2EH, to reach her by 31st October for the winter issue, or 30th April for the summer issue. She would also welcome comments or suggestions for content.

This edition of the newsletter was designed by The Fitzwalter Press 38 Lark Drive Attleborough NR17 1NZ 01953 455146 [email protected]

15 • The Cathedral Archives, Libraries and Collections Association