The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

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Thomas Rotherham, Archbiship of York, Lord Chancellor of England (1423 - 1500)

Dictionary of National Biography entry: http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/24155?docPos=1 Other biography: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Rotherham Authority - medieval
Patron
Relevant locations: Birth place in Rotherham, Yorkshire
Workplace or place of business Cambridge University, Cambridge
References in Documents:
British Curiosities in Nature and Art (1713)
SECT. XXII. Curiosities in Cambridgeshire. . . .

Trinity College] One of the noblest Foundations in either University founded by King Henry VIII. 1546, for 65 Fellows, and 91 Scholars.

It hath a very Magnificent Library, Built by Thomas Rotheram Bishop of York, Lord Chancellor of England; and by him and Cuthbert Tunstal Bishop of Durham, furnished with choice Books, and hath been since supplyed with the Libraries, of Archbishops, Parker, Grindal, and Bancroft. This Library is a stately Structure, and very Beautiful, the Stair-case Wainscoted with Cedar; (and there are Marble Steps) the enrichments whereof are so Natural that the leaves shake at every blow you give the Wainscot, and within is an Original picture of Bishop Hacket, and several fine manuscript Missals; and a great Collection of valuable Medals, Ancient and Modern, and other rareties.

The first Court is a Square, large and stately, for they tell you it is a Foot square larger, than Christ’s at Oxford; in this Court, stands the Chapel, the neatest and (except Kings) the greatest and noblest in the University; the Altar-piece is Beautiful adorned with Columns: and the portraicts of our Saviour, and the blessed Virgin; St. John Baptist, and his Mother Elizabeth. The Roof is curiously painted, in imitation of Carved work, in Relievo; the Area is black and white Marble, in a very pretty Figure; the Organ is a Finished piece, made by Mr. Bernard Smith, and cost 1500 l.