Chained library

Today we visited Chethams Library in the heart of what was once Manchester’s medieval city. Built in 1455 as a college for priests originally , in the 1600’s it was bought by a local philanthropist and became a library and a school for boys from impoverished families. It still functions as a library ( the oldest in the English speaking world ) and has a huge store of very ancient (and rather smelly) books. This is one of 2 ‘ chained’ libraries left ..... chained because the vellum and parchment the books were made from was so valuable. It’s also that which smells now though!