Cotton library

The Cotton library began as a private collection formed by Sir Robert Cotton in the early 17th century. It stood in a house near the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, where scholars and politicians gathered to consult its manuscripts. The library included books, state papers, coins and medallions, and became a vital resource for figures like Francis Bacon and John Selden. Its importance lies in the survival of unique works such as Beowulf, The Battle of Maldon and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The collection also preserved early copies of parliamentary records and the only surviving exemplification of Magna Carta from 1215. Leading antiquarians and jurists relied on it during a time of political dispute between king and Parliament. Today the manuscripts form part of the British Library’s manuscript collection. Visitors can view damaged volumes restored after the 1731 fire at Ashburnham House, including fragments studied through multispectral imaging. The surviving leaves and early catalogues offer a direct link to the scholarly world of the 17th century.