Thread by @Towler

@TheMinster1 has its own treasures, in particular the chained library, now located in the old Treasury. Founded in 1686, it is one of four extant in the kingdom.

It's got all sorts up their like this gorgeous encaustic #tile from the C13th/c14th.

This rather splendid escutcheon of Henry VII probably dates from his 1509 accession. His mother Lady Margaret Beaufort founded a chapel and paud for a cleric as a teacher. Thus starting QE school.
Her parents, the Dule and Duchess of Somerset were buried @TheMinster1 1444.

Amidst a veritable sea of medieval alabaster fragments is this broken crucifix. I cannot date (nor could the guides) but it has to be pre reformation.

But the real treasure is the library itself. The Rev William Stone, local boy made Master of an Oxford College feared his Theology collection would be burned by the authorities (too papist), so sent them home. A later bequest, of 1695 opened it up to all, but demanded the chains

The original silver plated chains made their way to @SalisburyCath (who still refuse to return them) so these are Victorian replacements, and still very lovely.

Alongside the Theology, the library’s collection includes early books on gardening, medicine, law, etiquette, and building, as well as Walton’s great Polyglott Bible of 1657 (in nine languages).