Chained Libraries

A gorgeous medieval library where the books are kept in chains.

Unchanged for centuries, this medieval library keeps its books in chains.

The second largest surviving chained library is housed in this 12th century church.

Dating back almost 400 years, the oldest public collection library in the United Kingdom was once the study hall of Karl Marx.

One of the oldest libraries in England, and one of the last of the great medieval chained collections.

This small collection of rare books was uniquely locked up for safe keeping.

Rare collection of medieval books under lock and key.