Homepageblank spacer imageWorship & Musicblank spacer imageLiving & Learningblank spacer imageLiving & Learning Overviewblank spacer imageSchool of Theologyblank spacer imageManaging the Cathedralblank spacer imageDiocese of Lincolnblank spacer imageMagna Cartablank spacer imageLecturesblank spacer imageWho's Whoblank spacer imageLibraryblank spacer imageLibrary Homepageblank spacer imageThe Wren Libraryblank spacer imageAdopt a Bookblank spacer imageMedieval Manuscriptsblank spacer imageThe Early Printed Booksblank spacer imageLibrary Exhibitions & Events 2010blank spacer imageGroup visits to the Libraryblank spacer imageResearch Facilitiesblank spacer imageOnline Catalogueblank spacer imageFurther Informationblank spacer imageLincoln Cathedral Centreblank spacer imageProtection: Children and Adultsblank spacer imageJob Vacancies within the Cathedralblank spacer imageContact Informationblank spacer imageVisits & Eventsblank spacer imageHow You Can Helpblank spacer imageCathedral Salesblank spacer imageBuilding & Historyblank spacer image
The Wren Library
ContentPicture
Michael Honywood was made Dean of Lincoln at the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660. He immediately set about the huge task of repairing the fabric of the cathedral, laid waste by the Parliamentarian soldiers during the English Civil War. It was not until 1674 that he set about his cherished project of providing a new building on the site of the ruined north cloister. It was his intention to bequeath his 5,000 books to the Dean and Chapter, and he paid £780 for the construction of a new library out of his own pocket.


Honywood commissioned the design from Sir Christopher Wren. The terms laid out in the contracts specify that the building should be completed in just two years. A page setting out the prices for painting and gilding written and signed by Wren indicates the famous architect's supervision throughout. The Tuscan Doric colonnade of the exterior is serenely classical. Inside, there are Baroque features: the advancing and receding planes and lively cornice of the panelling and bookcases, which give interest to a long, narrow room; and the trompe l'oeil marbling. Some of the original marbling and gilding survives; the rest has been replicated.

Dean Honywood's books are still in the building designed for them more than 300 years ago - a remarkable survival.