In 1425, London’s Guildhall Library was founded with funds from the will of Richard Whittington, the famous four-time Lord Mayor of London. Now, 600 years later, this institution—home to one of the world’s most significant collections of books on London history—is marking its anniversary with a year-long programme of talks, walks, and literary exhibitions.
Owned by the City of London Corporation, Guildhall Library holds the largest collection devoted to a single city anywhere in the world. Its extensive archives include early printed books, English law, Parliamentary records, business history, and maritime documents. For medievalists, the library’s holdings include rare medieval manuscripts and early printed works, including incunabula—books printed before 1501. It also houses one of the finest copies of Shakespeare’s First Folio.
The library, located within the historic Guildhall complex in the heart of London’s financial district, welcomes over 50,000 visitors annually, from academics and students to history enthusiasts. To mark its 600th anniversary, a range of events will highlight the library’s historical significance. One of the standout events, taking place on 13 February, will allow visitors to view some of its greatest treasures, including medieval manuscripts, penny dreadfuls, and incunabula.
The anniversary programme also includes talks on Magna Carta, the hidden alleyways of medieval London, and John Stow’s Survey of the City (1598), one of the most detailed accounts of Tudor London, which also recorded the history of the original Guildhall Library.
A Library with a Tumultuous Past
The first library at Guildhall was established in the early 15th century for the College of Priests at Guildhall. While Richard Whittington’s will did not explicitly mention the creation of a library, his charitable funds played a key role in its foundation. However, the library’s fortunes took a turn during the Reformation. Following the dissolution of the monasteries, the Crown seized control of the building, and its books were removed—many reportedly taken by William Cecil, acting on behalf of the Duke of Somerset, to furnish Somerset House. The books were never returned, and the library fell into disuse, becoming storage space for nearly 300 years.
A small library was re-established in 1828 for elected members of the City Corporation. As its collections expanded, it opened to the public in 1873. The library moved to its current location in the Guildhall’s West Wing in 1974, where it now holds three major sections: Printed Books, Prints and Maps, and Manuscripts.
In 2025 we are celebrating 600 years since the founding of the original Guildhall Library! We'll be hosting lots of fun events around this. To see what's happening at the start of the year check out our new events brochure for January-April 2025!
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/assets/Thing…
“Founded six centuries ago and owing far more to Richard Whittington than it does to the Duke of Somerset under Edward VI’s reign, Guildhall Library deserves to be celebrated this year,” says Munsur Ali, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Culture, Heritage, and Libraries Committee. “There will be something for everyone in the events programme, such as the opportunity to view 14th-century books up close, a walk around Soho, talks on the creation of Magna Carta, and the legacy of Richard Whittington and his questionable ownership of a cat.
“I hope that as many people as possible will be encouraged to find out more about our wonderful library and its impressive collections, and to sign up for some of the events in this celebratory year.”
A Landmark for Medievalists
Guildhall Library is not only a repository of London’s history but also a valuable resource for medieval studies. From its medieval manuscripts and early printed books to its collection of legal and parliamentary records, it provides insights into the political, social, and literary history of the Middle Ages. Its Magna Carta events and exhibitions of medieval texts will offer visitors a rare opportunity to engage with materials central to the study of medieval London.
As part of the City of London Corporation’s Destination City initiative, Guildhall Library continues to serve as a cultural and historical hub. The Corporation, one of the UK’s largest funders of heritage and culture, invests over £130 million annually in institutions such as the Barbican Centre, Tower Bridge, and the London Symphony Orchestra.
For medievalists and history enthusiasts alike, 2025 will be an ideal time to explore Guildhall Library’s extraordinary collections and its deep connections to London’s medieval past.
Top Image: London’s Guildhall and its library. Photo by 3BRBS / Wikimedia Commons
In 1425, London’s Guildhall Library was founded with funds from the will of Richard Whittington, the famous four-time Lord Mayor of London. Now, 600 years later, this institution—home to one of the world’s most significant collections of books on London history—is marking its anniversary with a year-long programme of talks, walks, and literary exhibitions.
Owned by the City of London Corporation, Guildhall Library holds the largest collection devoted to a single city anywhere in the world. Its extensive archives include early printed books, English law, Parliamentary records, business history, and maritime documents. For medievalists, the library’s holdings include rare medieval manuscripts and early printed works, including incunabula—books printed before 1501. It also houses one of the finest copies of Shakespeare’s First Folio.
The library, located within the historic Guildhall complex in the heart of London’s financial district, welcomes over 50,000 visitors annually, from academics and students to history enthusiasts. To mark its 600th anniversary, a range of events will highlight the library’s historical significance. One of the standout events, taking place on 13 February, will allow visitors to view some of its greatest treasures, including medieval manuscripts, penny dreadfuls, and incunabula.
The anniversary programme also includes talks on Magna Carta, the hidden alleyways of medieval London, and John Stow’s Survey of the City (1598), one of the most detailed accounts of Tudor London, which also recorded the history of the original Guildhall Library.
A Library with a Tumultuous Past
The first library at Guildhall was established in the early 15th century for the College of Priests at Guildhall. While Richard Whittington’s will did not explicitly mention the creation of a library, his charitable funds played a key role in its foundation. However, the library’s fortunes took a turn during the Reformation. Following the dissolution of the monasteries, the Crown seized control of the building, and its books were removed—many reportedly taken by William Cecil, acting on behalf of the Duke of Somerset, to furnish Somerset House. The books were never returned, and the library fell into disuse, becoming storage space for nearly 300 years.
A small library was re-established in 1828 for elected members of the City Corporation. As its collections expanded, it opened to the public in 1873. The library moved to its current location in the Guildhall’s West Wing in 1974, where it now holds three major sections: Printed Books, Prints and Maps, and Manuscripts.
“Founded six centuries ago and owing far more to Richard Whittington than it does to the Duke of Somerset under Edward VI’s reign, Guildhall Library deserves to be celebrated this year,” says Munsur Ali, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Culture, Heritage, and Libraries Committee. “There will be something for everyone in the events programme, such as the opportunity to view 14th-century books up close, a walk around Soho, talks on the creation of Magna Carta, and the legacy of Richard Whittington and his questionable ownership of a cat.
“I hope that as many people as possible will be encouraged to find out more about our wonderful library and its impressive collections, and to sign up for some of the events in this celebratory year.”
A Landmark for Medievalists
Guildhall Library is not only a repository of London’s history but also a valuable resource for medieval studies. From its medieval manuscripts and early printed books to its collection of legal and parliamentary records, it provides insights into the political, social, and literary history of the Middle Ages. Its Magna Carta events and exhibitions of medieval texts will offer visitors a rare opportunity to engage with materials central to the study of medieval London.
As part of the City of London Corporation’s Destination City initiative, Guildhall Library continues to serve as a cultural and historical hub. The Corporation, one of the UK’s largest funders of heritage and culture, invests over £130 million annually in institutions such as the Barbican Centre, Tower Bridge, and the London Symphony Orchestra.
For medievalists and history enthusiasts alike, 2025 will be an ideal time to explore Guildhall Library’s extraordinary collections and its deep connections to London’s medieval past.
Top Image: London’s Guildhall and its library. Photo by 3BRBS / Wikimedia Commons
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