New Exeter Cathedral Archive open

Following extensive refurbishment of the West Wing of the Bishop's Palace, Exeter, the Exeter Cathedral Library & Archives - home to works such as the 10th century Exeter Book of Anglo Saxon poetry - is now open to researchers, by appointment, at its new consolidated modern premises in the Bishop's Palace.

The move brings together collections from three locations: the Bishop's Palace, the Pearson Library above the Cathedral cafe, and Exeter university.

The Library contains medieval manuscripts, early printed books and modern published texts on a  range of subjects including local history, theology, medicine, and science. The Archives contain unique original records documenting the history of the Cathedral and its Dean & Chapter including the buildings, people and former estates across Devon and Cornwall (and Bampton, Oxfordshire).

Notable historical treasures include the 10th century Exeter Book of Anglo Saxon poetry, the Exon Domesday, and the Cathedral's Charter (signed by Edward the Confessor).

For visitors, the site features an Interpretation Gallery with information about the content and history of the  collections; Text panels and a timeline for historical context and an introduction to the collection highlights, and a main display case with a selection of the Archive's treasures.

For more information, see:

• Exeter Cathedral Library and Archives.
• Exeter Cathedral’s 1,000-year-old archive has new £1m home (Martin Hesp, Exeter Express & Echo, November 25, 2013).
• Exeter Cathedral: How do you move 70,000 archives? (Beth Rose, BBC News, March 25, 2012.

- RG