Exeter Cathedral Librarian, Emma Laws, is pleased to offer a range of talks on various aspects of the history and collections of the Cathedral Library and Archives. Talks cost £75 and are subject to availability.
To book a talk for your group or society, please email: [email protected]
NEW For 2027 – A Bibliophile Bishop: Reading John Grandisson In The Cathedral Library
A special anniversary talk exploring the legacy of Bishop Grandisson at Exeter Cathedral, in particular the magnificent manuscripts he commissioned for use at Exeter, and which continue to shape liturgy and worship at the Cathedral to this day.
1,000 Years Of History: Exeter Cathedral Library & Archives
Trace the history of Exeter Cathedral’s Library and Archives from the Cathedral’s foundation in 1050 to the present day. Discover the Cathedral’s bibliophile bishops and their books and find out more about some of the treasures of the Cathedral Library and Archives.
Exeter Cathedral: 1,000 Years Of Treasures
A journey through the incredible world-famous treasures of the Cathedral Library and Archives, featuring objects on permanent display in the Treasures Exhibition, including the Cathedral’s Foundation Charter, the Exeter Book, Exon Domesday, Fortescue Hours and Scott Flag.
The Story Of The Exeter Book
Written around 970, the Exeter Book is the earliest of only four surviving books of Anglo-Saxon literature anywhere in the world. Much admired for its beautiful writing and the quality of its verse, this collection of poetry has been at Exeter Cathedral since Leofric, the first bishop of Exeter, gave it to his church in 1072. Within its pages are some 40 poems including The Wanderer and The Seafarer, and nearly 100 poetic riddles. Discover the extraordinary story of the Exeter Book and what makes it special: its poetry, history and survival.
A Tale Of Two Libraries: The Legacy Of Exeter’s Bibliophile Bishops
For over 400 years, the Bodleian Library in Oxford has been home to some of Exeter’s most important medieval manuscripts, including several originally donated to the Cathedral by book-loving bishops, Leofric and John Grandisson. Discover how the legacy of Exeter’s magnificent medieval library lives on through the shared history of the Cathedral and Bodleian libraries.
The Afterlife Of Books
Every book has a story to tell beyond its text. From the moment it is printed, a book embarks on a unique journey through time, passed from one owner to another and from place to place. While some books remain unread and forgotten, others bear the marks of centuries of ownership and use. The clues to such stories can be found in the books themselves. Bindings, bookplates, signatures, inscriptions and annotations reveal the private histories of books – who owned them, who read them, and why.
The Legacy Of Thomas Glass: 18th Century Physician And Bibliophile
The Exeter physician, Thomas Glass, bequeathed his superb private library of science and medicine to the Cathedral Library in 1786, stipulating that is should be made available to ‘any physician being an inhabitant of the city’. This is a story about how the generosity and foresight of an individual shaped a unique institutional identity, and created a legacy of aspiration and participation that continues today.
Stories Of The Reformation At Exeter Cathedral
Begun under the reign of King Henry VIII, the break with Rome led to a complete rethinking of the way people related to God, the Bible and the Church itself. The Cathedral and the lives of those who worked and worshipped in it were changed forever. Explore stories of the Reformation in the Library and Archives and discover the impact on the Cathedral building and decoration.