@cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social
Worcester Cathedral library has many interesting books and documents.
The face of a man with a couple of heraldic shields drawn very close to it in this 1200's copy of an Italian author's legal text. This copy was also made in Italy but made its way to England and has some added English names in notes within the manuscript. (WCL f159 f.138v)
November 25, 2025 at 4:22 PM
The face of a man with a couple of heraldic shields drawn very close to it in this 1200's copy of an Italian author's legal text. This copy was also made in Italy but made its way to England and has some added English names in notes within the manuscript. (WCL f159 f.138v)
The opening of a Worcester monastic register at the time of Prior John Weddesbury or Wednesbury. He was prior of Worcester in 1507-1518.
November 25, 2025 at 4:21 PM
The opening of a Worcester monastic register at the time of Prior John Weddesbury or Wednesbury. He was prior of Worcester in 1507-1518.
The ruin of the medieval Guestenhall where visitors to the medieval cathedral stayed. It was built in the 1300's. The monk in charge of it was called the hosteller. Have a great weekend!
November 21, 2025 at 4:49 PM
The ruin of the medieval Guestenhall where visitors to the medieval cathedral stayed. It was built in the 1300's. The monk in charge of it was called the hosteller. Have a great weekend!
The music collection has documents that tell us about the music and services in earlier times. These two sheets give the music for next week in 1890 and 1915. They record the composers chosen, anthem numbers, and whether it was for Matins and Evensong.
November 20, 2025 at 3:23 PM
The music collection has documents that tell us about the music and services in earlier times. These two sheets give the music for next week in 1890 and 1915. They record the composers chosen, anthem numbers, and whether it was for Matins and Evensong.
A busy title page from a 1648 book about natural philosophy (WCL UG2). Philosophy and its related branches are depicted as women, whilst in the middle row are Aristotle and three scholars. In the lowest section is a sort of court room or perhaps a university auditorium.
November 20, 2025 at 3:00 PM
A busy title page from a 1648 book about natural philosophy (WCL UG2). Philosophy and its related branches are depicted as women, whilst in the middle row are Aristotle and three scholars. In the lowest section is a sort of court room or perhaps a university auditorium.
A zig-zag pattern red and blue letter P starts this page from a copy of a legal manuscript dating to the 1300's by Goffredo di Trani. Goffredo was a canon lawyer who lived in the 13th Century. This particular copy was made in England.
November 18, 2025 at 8:54 AM
A zig-zag pattern red and blue letter P starts this page from a copy of a legal manuscript dating to the 1300's by Goffredo di Trani. Goffredo was a canon lawyer who lived in the 13th Century. This particular copy was made in England.
This week's cartoon shows a man with a cap or beret and his faithful dog or some sort of creature. This is in a medieval manuscript copy of Justinian's Codex glossed in the thirteenth century (WCL F78).
November 17, 2025 at 3:08 PM
This week's cartoon shows a man with a cap or beret and his faithful dog or some sort of creature. This is in a medieval manuscript copy of Justinian's Codex glossed in the thirteenth century (WCL F78).
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.