Chained bibles and tiny dictionaries - Exhibition marks 600 years of Guildhall Library

"A London library set up by Dick Whittington 600 years ago is marking its anniversary with an exhibition of its most impressive books. Now based in the Guildhall's modern western wing, the library has moved around a bit since it first opened in 1425 with money from Richard Whittington's will. Originally used by the College of Priests, after the dissolution of the monasteries, the Crown seized control of the building."

"Now, in the 600th anniversary of the founding of the first library, some of its treasures are on display. There's the 800-year-old Peter de Riga Bible, the Chronicles of France printed in 1399, and the Survey of London by historian, John Stow. Almost too small to be noticed is the world's smallest English Dictionary, printed in 1890, and still with its original metal case."

A London library founded with funds from Richard Whittington's 1425 will now resides in the Guildhall's western wing and marks its 600th anniversary with an exhibition. The collection began for the College of Priests, was seized by the Crown after the dissolution of the monasteries, and had remaining books borrowed by William Cecil, likely for the Duke of Somerset and Somerset House. The original building became storage until a small replacement library opened in 1828 and the library moved to its current location 150 years later, preserving the Old Library's Gothic interior for events. The exhibition includes an 800-year-old Peter de Riga Bible, the 1399 Chronicles of France, John Stow's Survey of London, an 1890 tiny English dictionary in its original metal case, City meeting reports that record the 1425 authorization and later seizure by Henry VIII's agents, and a 1589 chained Bible used in Freeman admission ceremonies.

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