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| The Kedermister Library, a super place to read books in latin |
Well, after a pleasant exchange of emails with the Vicar of St Mary’s Langley I
was in!
Rather, I had set up an appointment to see the Kedermister Library. The visit took
place last Friday under the
unctuous supervision of Reverend Robin Grayson
The
Kedermister Library is a rare surviving example of an early 17th-century parish
library. In a room, richly decorated this collection of lovely books is preserved in situ in the decorated
wooden cupboards originally designed for it in 1620.
Founded
around 1613 by Sir John Kedermister (d. 1631) it was established to provide for
the education of the rector of St. Mary's, and presented to the church in
perpetuity by Sir John. (Sir John made
his money from the careful stewardship of the King’s land here about.)
You
will need to go to the British Library to see two of the Library's treasures,
the Kedermister Gospels (an 11th-century illuminated manuscript) and the
Pharmacopolium or a booke of Medicine (a manuscript herbal of 1630). (However a
photocopy of the latter is on sale in the church.
All
in all, this library is a marvellous room of treasures; and accessible through
the asking of.
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Thank you very much for your comments - Tim