Skip to main content Accessibility help

We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.

Close cookie message
×
  1. Home
  2. Search

Refine search

Refine search

Access:
Content type:
Publication date:
Apply   From and To filters
Subject: Show more
Journals Show more
Publishers: Show more
Societies Show more
Series: Show more
Collections: Show more

Actions for selected content:

Select all | Deselect all
  • View selected items
  • Export citations
  • Download PDF (zip)
  • Save to Kindle
  • Save to Dropbox
  • Save to Google Drive

Save Search

You can save your searches here and later view and run them again in "My saved searches".

Please provide a title, maximum of 40 characters.
Cancel
×

1 results

  • 11 - The early royal collections and the Royal Library to 1461

  • from COLLECTIONS AND OWNERSHIP
  • Edited by Lotte Hellinga, J. B. Trapp
  • Book:
    The Cambridge History of the Book in Britain
    Published online:
    28 March 2008
    Print publication:
    09 December 1999, pp 255-266

  • Summary

    Edward IV is usually considered to be the founder of the English royal library as it is known today. This chapter focuses on the Lancastrian period, the reigns of Henry IV, Henry V and Henry VI. The payments in 1401-2 for works at Eltham Palace, which was rebuilt for Henry IV and was one of his favourite residences, describe a new study, one of the rooms attached to the King's new chamber. The rediscovery at Eton in 1978 of a copy of Henry V's last will of 10 June 1421 and its codicils of 1422 has added valuable information about Henry's books and his intentions for them. There can be little doubt that by 1421, Henry possessed a considerable learned library. A large number of Latin books, over 140 at least, were kept in the Treasury during the minority of Henry VI, to 1440 or later.