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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

Peter Lombard's Commentary on the Psalms. This is a manuscript copy made in the 1200's. (WCL F47 folio 98r).

The text is in two columns. The capital letters at the start of a new paragraph are alternately red or blue with decorative flourishes mostly going downwards except for the letter I which has decorative flourishes that rise upwards. There are no marginal notes, but the scribe has left plenty of room.

cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

A 1300's manuscript which has various items within it, including sermon outlines and a theological work by Peter Bersuire, a tract on the vices and virtues, and an alphabetical table of morals. (WCL F19 folio 168r).

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

The cathedral tower in the sunshine viewed from the south side a couple of weeks ago. In the foreground is the chapter house exterior and the middle distance is the exterior of the quire.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

A strange stylized human face with a leaf stick out of its mouth in the inner margin of a tightly bound medieval manuscript. This is in a 1200's copy of a collection of sermons on the Saints copied in England and used at Worcester (WCL Q53 fol.169r).

A doodle in red ink. the human face is looking away from the text. It is very tiny. The leaf is on a stalk sticking out of its mouth. It has some sort of cap or hood on.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

A 4A page! This is the opening of James of Voragine's work "Tabula super Historias Biblie". James was Italian and was the archbishop of Genoa. This copy was made in the fifteenth century (WCL F89 f.1r).

The text is in two columns. There are red and blue flourishes deocrating the left hand sides of both columns. There are 4 capital letter A's in dark blue with red flourishes to decorate them. Two are in each column of text.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

One of the cathedral's archive scrapbooks from 1910 has these wonderful pictures of buildings in Droitwich (Worcestershire).

An old inn with a half timbered house next to it.

A parish church in Droitwich. A market stall is set up in the road in front of it.

A half-timbered house with a large stone and brick chimney in Droitwich

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

An engraving of a Bishop Saint Epiphanius an early Church Father. He became the Bishop of Salamis in Cyprus and lived in the 4th century AD. Although a Bishop he was also a monk and gave much to the poor.

The Bishop hold a Book in his left hand. He is wearing a clerical costume with lots of crosses sewn onto it. His right hand is raised to give a blessing. he has a beard. A halo has been drawn around his head.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

The face of a man with a couple of heraldic shields drawn very close to it in this 1200's copy of an Italian author's legal text. This copy was also made in Italy but made its way to England and has some added English names in notes within the manuscript. (WCL f159 f.138v)

a man's face is doodled in the inner margin of a law manuscript. There are two shields doodled by his nose. One is green and white chequered and the other has a red chevron on a white background with three red roundels.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

The opening of a Worcester monastic register at the time of Prior John Weddesbury or Wednesbury. He was prior of Worcester in 1507-1518.

A capital letter R to start off a monastic register. It is decorated with diamond pattern lozenges in maroon, yellow, red, white and pink. A floral decoration has also been drawn in, and a heraldic shield of the Bishops of Worcester. The name of the prior whose register it belongs to is written at the base.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

The ruin of the medieval Guestenhall where visitors to the medieval cathedral stayed. It was built in the 1300's. The monk in charge of it was called the hosteller. Have a great weekend!

The red sand stone of the wall has four windows - two very large and two half their size. In the background is a pinnacle in pale brown stone of the cathedral. In the foreground is the frost on the lawn. The photo was taken early on Friday and the wall is still in shadow.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

The music collection has documents that tell us about the music and services in earlier times. These two sheets give the music for next week in 1890 and 1915. They record the composers chosen, anthem numbers, and whether it was for Matins and Evensong.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

A busy title page from a 1648 book about natural philosophy (WCL UG2). Philosophy and its related branches are depicted as women, whilst in the middle row are Aristotle and three scholars. In the lowest section is a sort of court room or perhaps a university auditorium.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

A zig-zag pattern red and blue letter P starts this page from a copy of a legal manuscript dating to the 1300's by Goffredo di Trani. Goffredo was a canon lawyer who lived in the 13th Century. This particular copy was made in England.

The text is divided into two columns. At the start of the right hand column is a letter P in alternating red and blue zig-zag pattern with red and blue flourishes extending off it at the top and bottom of the page. There are no marginal annotation except for one doodled face besides the left hand column of text presumably next to something useful.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

This week's cartoon shows a man with a cap or beret and his faithful dog or some sort of creature. This is in a medieval manuscript copy of Justinian's Codex glossed in the thirteenth century (WCL F78).

In the lower part of the right hand column of text is a man's head. he wears a cap which is tinted yellow by the artist. Directly below his head is a dog or creature's head with gritted teeth and a wide eye. It also appears to have drool on its jaw.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars memorial 1914-1918 on the left and the same for 1939 to 1945 on the right in Worcester Cathedral. Remembering today those who gave there lives for their country.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

A bird of prey cartoon in a 13th Century law manuscript beside a column of text. The text is Casus to Compilatio IV (WCL F159 f.49r)

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

This red and blue letter A is from Thomas of Ryngstede on the Book of Proverbs, which was part of a collection of items from the 15th century and used by one of the Worcester monks Thomas of Blokley (WCL F80 f.138r)

The text is in two columns. At the top of the right hand column is a large letter A in red and blue. It is decorated in a zig-zag pattern. Red ink flourishes extend from the letter A along the margins and down between the column of text.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

A lady with a red and white hood, and what looks like a couple of flasks or gourds in the margin of a 13th Century legal text by Benencasa of Arezzo (WCL F159 f.107v)

The manuscript in light brown ink, with doodles in the inner margin. There are two gourds and a woman wearing a red and white hood.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

In Prince Arthur's chantry chapel of the early 16th century, the incredible ceiling with his coat of arms in the centre gives the interior a fantastic appearance. Have a great weekend!

The ceiling is white with cream coloured foliage pattern ribs that extend almost like a spider web across the whole of the tiny chapel ceiling apart from in the centre where there is Prince Arthur's coat of arms, which are unpainted.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

A capital letter D from an early medieval manuscript of the 1100's of a collection of sermons compiled at Worcester Cathedral. This one was originally by Bede. (WCL F92)

A dark purple letter capital letter D starts a new sermon in this early Norman book of sermons. It is located in the right hand column one third of the way down. There are no marginalia.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

William Durand was a French Bishop in the 1200's. This is the opening letter from a 14th Century manuscript copy of his work Rationale Divinorum Officiorum- which was about Christian liturgy and symbols etc. (WCL F129 f.1r)

A green dragon with a green and white foliage tail is at the centre of a red and blue zig zag pattern capital letter O. Red and blue ink flourishes and decorations extend off the letter into the margins.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

The Worcester Co-operative Choral Society looking very smart on 6th November 1909 in the Cathedral's music archive. (WCL Music Collection)

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

The west front of the cathedral was looking nice last week in the sunshine.

The view shows the great west window. The cathedral stone is a very pale brown and the cathedral is set against a pale blue sky. The stained glass viewed from the exterior seems a darker blue colour and the other colours can not be seen from a distance.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

This is a nineteenth century Mozart motet in the library, which is part of series of Mozart unbound music pieces someone collected (WCL).

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

Busy still doing the stock check, but I really liked the design of this invoice header from 1874.

The Victorian invoice has an engraving of a medal the company won for manufacturing and also the coat of arms of Queen Adelaide and the Emperor of the French whom he had supplied with his products.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

This 1200's copy of Peter Lombard's Sentences has many marginal notes. This copy was made by a professional and use by at least one of the Worcester monks (WCL F8 f.3r).

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

A red and blue zig-zag capital letter with a green dragon in the centre of it. The dragon has a tail of green and white foliage. Blue and red ink flourishes extend off the letter in the margins.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

The impressive north side of the nave was rebuilt c.1317-1320. The ceiling is c.65ft or 20m above the ground.

The stone is a pale brown colour. The view shows the columns of the nave with the triforium level above and then the clerestory level above that, and on top is the stone ceiling. Light is shining through the windows of the clerestory level.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

This 1200's copy of Peter Lombard's Sentences has many marginal notes. This copy was made by a professional and use by at least one of the Worcester monks (WCL F8 f.3r).

A red and blue capital letter is in the top left corner. it has red, blue and white swirling patterns as an infill. The text is in two columns, with marginal annotations all around the page.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

A busy page from a 1200's manuscript copy of Aristotle's 'Sophistici Elenchi' - Sophistical refutations. It was translated by Boethius. This copy was used by a Dominican friar called Thomas Palmar who lived in the late 14 early 15th Centuries (F66 f139).

Two diagrams in red and brown ink in the margins. Text is a central column. Very detailed notes in both left and right hand margins of the pages. Another medieval hand has made a note at the base.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

This is part of the cathedral organ located in the Quire area. It's twin is on the opposite wall. They replaced the old organ in 2008. Have a great weekend!

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

A map of Gaul in Ancient Roman times recently donated to the library collection. This map was printed in c.1815.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Thank you to everyone who has been on a library tour this week. This is an 1100's illuminated letter at the start of something called "Opusculum de dubiis in evangeliis" (WCL Q29 f.64r)

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Last week someone kindly donated a small collection of old photos. One was to do with the cathedral. Many others were clearly from elsewhere in the country. I am not sure which church this is from. Date probably 1900-1920's.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

A fragment of what is thought to be from a philosophy text from the 14th century. You can see the bird on the branch in the margin. This was found in one of the post medieval bindings years ago and another fragment is also thought to be from the same manuscript.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

From a book of English legal statutes. This manuscript was copied in the 14th century and used by an English lawyer, possibly in Herefordshire. This page is for a Statute of Westminster. (WCL Q36 f32r)

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

A Queen and a Bishop keep silent watch in the military chapel. The amazing skill and attention to detail of the stonemasons always impresses me.

A carved head of a medieval queen with crown and head dress and a bishop with a beard and mitre are carved into the top of a stone pillar. Above them is a carved arch of bands with a small amount of carved foliage decoration as well.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

A page from the Cathedral Almoner's register. It recorded the donations of land or property people gave to the Almoner. This helped the cathedral and enabled it to distribute alms to the poor. Notice the tiny cartoon creature in the top left corner (WCL A9 - late 1200's to early 1500's).

The text is across the whole page. At the top is the Latin name for the city of Worcester to identify which section of the register this refers to. In the top left corner is a doodle of a tiny creature looking at the title. The title is in a large block font with a hatched light brown background.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

This ornate illuminated letter with decoration and a second bird-like artwork lower down the column opens the second part of Thomas de Bradwardine's theology book against the Pelagian heresy. Thomas lived in the 14th Century.

Artwork extends down the left hand column of text. The illuninated letter is maroon with white dots and a blue and gold background. Below is another bit of artwork of a red headed bird with a blue and gold body and foliage for a tail. The right hand margin of the page has a few medieval notes.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

A huge letter M with a foliage flourish in a page from a mid-1100's manuscript copy of Jerome's Commentary on the Book of Isaiah. This may have been produced at Worcester (WCL F82 f.7r)

The text is in two columns on the page. The scribe has drawn a huge red letter M in red in the left hand column two thirds of the way down. It has a white zig-zag stripe in the middle of the red. The left hand line of the letter M descends down the column and ends in a red and blue foliage decoration

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

The conservators were here today working on Tudor documents. This cathedral annual account document has suffered from the very black iron-based ink destroying the paper.

The document rests on a table surrounded by the conservators' tools and equipment. There are no illustrations. The document is made of paper.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

A dragon and an illuminated letter from a 1300's canon law book. William of Pagula's "Summa Summarum" was owned by one of the Worcester monks (WCL F131 f90v).

A green dragon travels down the centre of the page towards an illuminated letter in maroon and blue with a little man inside it. The decoration continues down the centre of the page in alternating bands of maroon and blue with foliage at the end. The text is in two columns.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 16/09/2025

A huge thank you to the cheerful Tudor House Museum Worcester team who visited today. This is a 14th century manuscript copy of Aristotle's Metaphysics translated by William of Moerbeke (WCL F169).

The text is in two columns. It has a blue and red alternating border. The large initial letter O is red and blue with red, blue and white infilling. Red and blue flourishes extend from the border into the margin. There are some notes in the margin presumably written by one of the monks.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

This week's Medieval artwork is a strange creature in the inner margin of a 14th century manuscript copy of Aristotle's Book on Physics with a commentary by Averroes (WCL F96).

The doodle has a head of a greyhound type dog and a furry body, a strange tail and two legs with hooves but no arms. It is looking at the text in the inner margin of the manuscript page.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

In the Lady Chapel is the tomb of Bishop William de Blois (d.1236) but also on the wall beside him is the memorial to Anne Walton the wife of author Izaak Walton. Izaak composed the wording himself.

The medieval effigy is on the floor. It is at the east end of the Lady Chapel near the altar which cannot be seen in the photo. On the wall beside Bishop Blois is the memorial tablet of Anne Walton. The wall has black Purbeck marble shafts and pale brown stone, with carved decorations. A stand of fresh flowers is also near the tomb. The floor is mainly stone and old black and white marble tiles.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

A lady's face with hat decorates part of this 1200's manuscript copy of Gregory IX's Decretals with a commentary by Bernard de Botone of Parma. This copy was made in England and used by someone in Wales at some point before coming to Worcester (WCL F150 f36r).

The doodle of the face is next to part of a decretal in the centre of the page. It has been drawn in a brown ink and tinted with yellow. The commentary surrounding it is by the medieval lawyer Bernard. Capital letters are in dark blue with red decorative flourishes or red and blue

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

A blue and white and red creature with gold leaf in the border of a 1400's missal. A missal was a liturgical manuscript.

A creature in blue, white and red with gold leaf is in the right hand border of a missal. There are also blue, red and white leaves in the border artwork and more gold leaf.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

From the cathedral library's music collection- G. F. Handel's Messiah.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

King James VI and the I from John Rushworth's Historical Collections volume 1 published in 1659.

King James Vi and I has a large black hat and a large ruff around his neck. His engraved portrait is in a border giving his titles and has the Royal Coat of arms.

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cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social @cathedrallibrarian.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

One of the doors into the medieval cloister from the nave at Worcester Cathedral.

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