Old Palace, York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Palace |
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York Minster Library
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| Location | Dean's Park, York, England |
| Built | c. 1230 |
| Restored | 1810 |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated | 14 June 1954 |
| Reference no. | 1257880 |
The Old Palace is a very old building in the city of York, England. It is also known as the Minster Library and is located in Dean's Park. This building holds the important library and historical records of York Minster. It also has a special department for collections and a studio where old items are carefully repaired. The name "Old Palace" is quite new. It honors the part of the building that used to be the private chapel of the Archbishop of York, built way back in the 1200s.
History of the Old Palace
The story of the Minster Library began with a generous gift. On March 29, 1628, the Archbishop of York, Tobias Matthew, passed away. He left his large collection of books to his wife, Frances Matthew, instead of his sons or the church. His collection was huge, said to be the "largest private collection in England" at the time.
The Gift of Books
There were 600 books in his collection, valued at £300 back then. Frances decided to give all these books to York Minster. People said her gift was so important it should "live as long as the church itself." Frances had been married for fifty years. She passed away the year after making this wonderful donation. These books became the very first part of the Minster Library.
Building Changes Over Time
The Old Palace building was updated in 1810. Soon after, it became the official home for the Minster Library. The library holds many amazing items. These include records from the cathedral that go all the way back to 1150. It also has a copy of the 1631 book known as the Wicked Bible. The Old Palace is a listed building with a Grade I rating. This means it is a very important historical building that needs to be protected. A new part was added to the building in 1998 to make more space.
External links
- Treasures and Collections: Library, York Minster website
- About the York Minster Library University of York website
