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The Minster Library is the only other portion of the
palace existing ;
it was the chapel, and is a most interesting specimen
of Early English architecture. Since 1808 it has been
restored, and now contains upwards of 8,000 volumes and
MSS., formerly kept in a small building attached to the south
-side of the Minster. This present collection, it must be understood,
is of modern formation. The ancient one, which was
established by Archbishop Egbert (731 to 767) was most valuable,
and was entrusted to the care of the learned Alcuin, in
whose time students came from afar to avail themselves of the
treasures it contained. This was unfortunately consimied by
fire in 1069. The nucleus of the present one was formed in
the seventeenth century by the presentation of 3,000 volumes
by the widow of Archbishop Mathew. It has since been
enriched by gifts from Lord Fairfax and others, and by the
library of Dr. Fothergill, the non-juring minister of Skipwith.
It is a commodious room, lighted at the west end by
five lancet windows, filled with stained glass.
Amongst the antiquarian and literary treasures it contains
are : a copy of the Second Edition of Erasmus' New Testament,
in Greek and Latin, two folio volumes, printed on
vellum, by Frobenius at Basle.
A MS. copy of Wickliffe's New Testament, on vellum, with
autograph of Queen Elizabeth.
Three MS. copies of the Vulgate, on vellum, of the time
of Henry III. and Edward I.
Also a number of valuable books printed by Caxton,
Wynkyn de Worde, and Pynson.
It is open to visitors free, on Mondays and Wednesdays,
from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on Saturdays from 2 till
4 p.m.
Adjoining is the Deanery, a large and handsome house,
in the Tudor style, built of stone in 1827. The old
Deanery was on the south-east side of the Minster Yard,
the site now occupied by the School of Design.
To the north-west is The Canons' Eesidence, also in the
Tudor style, and intended for the accommodation of the four
residentiary Canons during their quarterly term of office.
York Probate Kegistry of the High Court of Justice, a
semi-Gothic building, nearly opposite the south entrance to
the Minster. Here are kept all wills for the North and East