Chaining books was the most widespread and effective security system in European libraries from the Middle Ages until the 18th century and Hereford Cathedral's17th century chained library is the largest to survive with all it's chains, rods and locks intact.
A chain is attached at one end to the front cover of each book; the other end is slotted on to a rod running along the bottom of each shelf. The system allows a book to be taken from the shelf and read at the desk, but not to be removed from the bookcase.
There are books here dating from around the year 800 to the early 19th century.
Our visit to the cathedral was, as you can imagine, truly awesome and I'm sure you can understand why our brains were about to burst by the time we left. We then went to do a bit of shopping before a late lunch.
What an interesting capture and a fascinating history of this library, I'm amazed they let people even touch books that date back to 800.... Incredible.
