@cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social
Worcester Cathedral library has many interesting books and documents.
Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars memorial 1914-1918 on the left and the same for 1939 to 1945 on the right in Worcester Cathedral. Remembering today those who gave there lives for their country.
November 11, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars memorial 1914-1918 on the left and the same for 1939 to 1945 on the right in Worcester Cathedral. Remembering today those who gave there lives for their country.
A bird of prey cartoon in a 13th Century law manuscript beside a column of text. The text is Casus to Compilatio IV (WCL F159 f.49r)
November 10, 2025 at 2:32 PM
A bird of prey cartoon in a 13th Century law manuscript beside a column of text. The text is Casus to Compilatio IV (WCL F159 f.49r)
This red and blue letter A is from Thomas of Ryngstede on the Book of Proverbs, which was part of a collection of items from the 15th century and used by one of the Worcester monks Thomas of Blokley (WCL F80 f.138r)
November 5, 2025 at 4:38 PM
This red and blue letter A is from Thomas of Ryngstede on the Book of Proverbs, which was part of a collection of items from the 15th century and used by one of the Worcester monks Thomas of Blokley (WCL F80 f.138r)
A lady with a red and white hood, and what looks like a couple of flasks or gourds in the margin of a 13th Century legal text by Benencasa of Arezzo (WCL F159 f.107v)
November 3, 2025 at 11:39 AM
A lady with a red and white hood, and what looks like a couple of flasks or gourds in the margin of a 13th Century legal text by Benencasa of Arezzo (WCL F159 f.107v)
In Prince Arthur's chantry chapel of the early 16th century, the incredible ceiling with his coat of arms in the centre gives the interior a fantastic appearance. Have a great weekend!
October 31, 2025 at 4:52 PM
In Prince Arthur's chantry chapel of the early 16th century, the incredible ceiling with his coat of arms in the centre gives the interior a fantastic appearance. Have a great weekend!
A capital letter D from an early medieval manuscript of the 1100's of a collection of sermons compiled at Worcester Cathedral. This one was originally by Bede. (WCL F92)
October 31, 2025 at 4:50 PM
A capital letter D from an early medieval manuscript of the 1100's of a collection of sermons compiled at Worcester Cathedral. This one was originally by Bede. (WCL F92)
William Durand was a French Bishop in the 1200's. This is the opening letter from a 14th Century manuscript copy of his work Rationale Divinorum Officiorum- which was about Christian liturgy and symbols etc. (WCL F129 f.1r)
October 31, 2025 at 4:48 PM
William Durand was a French Bishop in the 1200's. This is the opening letter from a 14th Century manuscript copy of his work Rationale Divinorum Officiorum- which was about Christian liturgy and symbols etc. (WCL F129 f.1r)
The Worcester Co-operative Choral Society looking very smart on 6th November 1909 in the Cathedral's music archive. (WCL Music Collection)
October 31, 2025 at 4:41 PM
The Worcester Co-operative Choral Society looking very smart on 6th November 1909 in the Cathedral's music archive. (WCL Music Collection)
The west front of the cathedral was looking nice last week in the sunshine.
October 29, 2025 at 9:33 AM
The west front of the cathedral was looking nice last week in the sunshine.
This is a nineteenth century Mozart motet in the library, which is part of series of Mozart unbound music pieces someone collected (WCL).
October 29, 2025 at 9:31 AM
This is a nineteenth century Mozart motet in the library, which is part of series of Mozart unbound music pieces someone collected (WCL).
Busy still doing the stock check, but I really liked the design of this invoice header from 1874.
October 29, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Busy still doing the stock check, but I really liked the design of this invoice header from 1874.
This 1200's copy of Peter Lombard's Sentences has many marginal notes. This copy was made by a professional and use by at least one of the Worcester monks (WCL F8 f.3r).
October 29, 2025 at 9:27 AM
This 1200's copy of Peter Lombard's Sentences has many marginal notes. This copy was made by a professional and use by at least one of the Worcester monks (WCL F8 f.3r).
William Durand was a French Bishop in the 1200's. This is the opening letter from a 14th Century manuscript copy of his work Rationale Divinorum Officiorum- which was about Christian liturgy and symbols etc. (WCL F129 f.1r)
October 29, 2025 at 9:26 AM
William Durand was a French Bishop in the 1200's. This is the opening letter from a 14th Century manuscript copy of his work Rationale Divinorum Officiorum- which was about Christian liturgy and symbols etc. (WCL F129 f.1r)
The impressive north side of the nave was rebuilt c.1317-1320. The ceiling is c.65ft or 20m above the ground.
October 22, 2025 at 7:37 AM
The impressive north side of the nave was rebuilt c.1317-1320. The ceiling is c.65ft or 20m above the ground.
This 1200's copy of Peter Lombard's Sentences has many marginal notes. This copy was made by a professional and use by at least one of the Worcester monks (WCL F8 f.3r).
October 22, 2025 at 7:35 AM
This 1200's copy of Peter Lombard's Sentences has many marginal notes. This copy was made by a professional and use by at least one of the Worcester monks (WCL F8 f.3r).
A busy page from a 1200's manuscript copy of Aristotle's 'Sophistici Elenchi' - Sophistical refutations. It was translated by Boethius. This copy was used by a Dominican friar called Thomas Palmar who lived in the late 14 early 15th Centuries (F66 f139).
October 9, 2025 at 8:20 AM
A busy page from a 1200's manuscript copy of Aristotle's 'Sophistici Elenchi' - Sophistical refutations. It was translated by Boethius. This copy was used by a Dominican friar called Thomas Palmar who lived in the late 14 early 15th Centuries (F66 f139).
This is part of the cathedral organ located in the Quire area. It's twin is on the opposite wall. They replaced the old organ in 2008. Have a great weekend!
October 3, 2025 at 2:43 PM
This is part of the cathedral organ located in the Quire area. It's twin is on the opposite wall. They replaced the old organ in 2008. Have a great weekend!
A map of Gaul in Ancient Roman times recently donated to the library collection. This map was printed in c.1815.
October 3, 2025 at 2:40 PM
A map of Gaul in Ancient Roman times recently donated to the library collection. This map was printed in c.1815.
Thank you to everyone who has been on a library tour this week. This is an 1100's illuminated letter at the start of something called "Opusculum de dubiis in evangeliis" (WCL Q29 f.64r)
October 3, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Thank you to everyone who has been on a library tour this week. This is an 1100's illuminated letter at the start of something called "Opusculum de dubiis in evangeliis" (WCL Q29 f.64r)
Last week someone kindly donated a small collection of old photos. One was to do with the cathedral. Many others were clearly from elsewhere in the country. I am not sure which church this is from. Date probably 1900-1920's.
October 3, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Last week someone kindly donated a small collection of old photos. One was to do with the cathedral. Many others were clearly from elsewhere in the country. I am not sure which church this is from. Date probably 1900-1920's.
A fragment of what is thought to be from a philosophy text from the 14th century. You can see the bird on the branch in the margin. This was found in one of the post medieval bindings years ago and another fragment is also thought to be from the same manuscript.
October 3, 2025 at 2:36 PM
A fragment of what is thought to be from a philosophy text from the 14th century. You can see the bird on the branch in the margin. This was found in one of the post medieval bindings years ago and another fragment is also thought to be from the same manuscript.
From a book of English legal statutes. This manuscript was copied in the 14th century and used by an English lawyer, possibly in Herefordshire. This page is for a Statute of Westminster. (WCL Q36 f32r)
October 3, 2025 at 2:35 PM
From a book of English legal statutes. This manuscript was copied in the 14th century and used by an English lawyer, possibly in Herefordshire. This page is for a Statute of Westminster. (WCL Q36 f32r)
A Queen and a Bishop keep silent watch in the military chapel. The amazing skill and attention to detail of the stonemasons always impresses me.
September 26, 2025 at 3:51 PM
A Queen and a Bishop keep silent watch in the military chapel. The amazing skill and attention to detail of the stonemasons always impresses me.
A page from the Cathedral Almoner's register. It recorded the donations of land or property people gave to the Almoner. This helped the cathedral and enabled it to distribute alms to the poor. Notice the tiny cartoon creature in the top left corner (WCL A9 - late 1200's to early 1500's).
September 26, 2025 at 3:48 PM
A page from the Cathedral Almoner's register. It recorded the donations of land or property people gave to the Almoner. This helped the cathedral and enabled it to distribute alms to the poor. Notice the tiny cartoon creature in the top left corner (WCL A9 - late 1200's to early 1500's).
This ornate illuminated letter with decoration and a second bird-like artwork lower down the column opens the second part of Thomas de Bradwardine's theology book against the Pelagian heresy. Thomas lived in the 14th Century.
September 26, 2025 at 3:46 PM
This ornate illuminated letter with decoration and a second bird-like artwork lower down the column opens the second part of Thomas de Bradwardine's theology book against the Pelagian heresy. Thomas lived in the 14th Century.