Welcome back this week for some pictures of an amazing old library. Wimborne Minster houses the second largest Chained Library in England. With Gutenberg’s printing press development between 1440 and 1450 books became more available to those who could read - but generally only by those able to afford and own them, a book could be worth as much as a whole farm! The chained library here was set up in 1686 by Rev William Stone who in the troubled medieval ages had seen many books burned by the authorities, his donations he felt would ensure the books survival. Then a wealthy attorney Roger Gillingham added a further ninety books - in 1695 - wanting them to be freely viewed, so long as it was by “shopkeepers or the better class of person”. (How dare you riff raff try and get yourselves educated!!) It was he that asked for the chains, to prevent theft. The only other Chained Libraries in England are at Hereford Cathedral (1611) and at Wells Cathedral (1450). There are just five in the world that have the original books and furniture. Incidentally, the stone spiral staircase spirals in the ‘wrong’ direction intentionally so that no one could enter with their sword drawn with the intent of robbing the place!
High in stone tower the treasure is stored in chains. Ink centuries dried
A staircase right bend, deliberate protection, from sword drawn attack
The books are written, Latin, Greek and Hebrew on old vellum parchment
Value beloved, books so dear to human hearts, knowledge, faith, glory
Priceless ancient tomes beyond your ink scribed words. Temporal parchment
I long to touch you with fierce desire and yearning. You are kept from me
Muted sunlit mote, display fallen stones of time. One dead fly, unseen.
Thank you for being here, I look forward to engaging with you in comments and finding out if the chained library inspired you in any way. I love to hear your thoughts and insights.
Such amazing books! But the staircase …
1.
Staircase twirls leftward,
Swords clash on the awkward climb—
Robbers spin, baffled.
2.
Spiral stones mock right,
Left-handed steps guard the gold—
Swords fumble in air.
3.
Wrong way stones giggle,
Knights stumble up the staircase,
Empty-handed, vexed.
wow! another wow! (is that all i'm stuck with saying?)
loved the tour, the history, and the haiku.
i was blessed once with a display of hand written pocket bibles from the 16th century. omg! they were awesome. made with finely crafted crow's quill and the smallest 'font' you can imagine, with the most brilliant colours in the illustrated letters.
muchas gracias por compartir.