• An Overview
  • RGS Vision
  • Brief History of the School
    • The Chained Library
    • History of Sport at RGS
    • Buildings
    • Distinguished Old Guildfordians
  • Facilities
• Policies and Procedures
• ISI Inspection Report
• Academic Matters
• School Uniform
• Sports Kit
• Daily Life
• Activities
• Academic Staff List
• Support Staff List
• Governing Body
• Job Vacancies

The Chained Library

The Chained Library is special as it is one of the few original chained libraries remaining in a school. John Parkhurst, Bishop of Norwich (1560-75) was born in Guildford and left in his will,

"the most parte of all my Latten bookes whereof shall be made a catalogue as shortelie as I may God sendinge me lief."

Most of the books reached the School and were housed in the newly completed gallery where they still remain. The gallery was enlarged in 1650 by Arthur Onslow and the present bookcases date from 1897. The oldest book in the library was printed in Venice circa 1480. The oldest English book was printed circa 1500 with the imprint of Wynkyn de Worde. It escaped the fire of 1962 with some damage and was restored in 1965.

The Chained Library is now the Headmaster's Study.