Collections, Archive and Library
Explore Carlisle Cathedral’s rich history through its treasure trove of collections.
“The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.”
Delve deeper into the Cathedral’s collections here.
Library
The Cathedral Library was re-founded after the Restoration, following the sacking of the earlier library collections at the Dissolution and again during the Commonwealth. The present collection contains over 8,000 volumes and is based on three distinctive 17th-century private collections. As such, the collection has at its heart private reading and private devotion – two themes that have continued with the development of the collections since the early 18th century. Among English cathedral libraries, only Canterbury and York have larger holdings of published works in English for the period 1641-1700.
The Cathedral Library contains texts on a diverse range of subjects, including theology, history, geography, law, mathematics, natural science, literature and music. Central to the collection are the books bequeathed by Thomas Smith (1615-1702), Dean and later Bishop of Carlisle. The majority of the book collection is housed in the Fratry Hall, assessed via the Cathedral Café. Please note that the Fratry Hall is sometimes closed for private or ticketed events.
Library Catalogues
The records for our collections exist primarily in printed and handwritten format. While we are in the process of updating the records into an electronic catalogue, it will be some time before this work is complete. However, it is possible to find information for many of the texts in our historic library collection through the following external union catalogues:
- To view bibliographical records for many of our books printed before 1801, see the English Short-Title Catalogue (ESTC).
- To view bibliographical records for many of our books printed before 1701, see the Library Hub (formerly COPAC).
For research enquiries, please contact: collections@carlislecathedral.org.uk.
Archives
The Cathedral’s archives have always played a vital role in administration at Carlisle Cathedral, providing a record of the organisation and community throughout the Cathedral’s long history. Now held at Carlisle Archives, the Cathedral’s archival records mostly date from the post-Dissolution although earlier examples include the 13th-century ‘Lives of the Saints’ and 14th-century Romance of the Rose.
The Dean & Chapter Archive is listed on Cumbria Archives’ online catalogue and can be viewed at Carlisle Archives. Please contact Cumbria Archives for research enquiries and to book an appointment.
