Acknowledgements
This monograph is based on my PhD thesis, which I completed in 2021. That research, and this monograph, would not have been completed without the help and support of so many people. I would like to express my thanks to the kind and generous people associated with all four of the case study libraries in this monograph. Particular thanks must go to Judith Monds, who welcomed me to Wimborne Minster Chained Library and allowed me access to the collection, and Frank Tandy, the former librarian at Wimborne Minster, who was generous enough to meet with me and to share with me his research into the history of Wimborne Minster Chained Library and its founders. Special thanks must also go to Brian Stagg, who shared with me his knowledge of the Francis Trigge Chained Library, and to John and Barbara Manterfield, who were kind enough not only to share their knowledge of the library, but also to allow me to stay with them during my research visits to St Wulfram’s church in Grantham. Finally, my heartfelt gratitude goes to the staff at Chetham’s Library, whom I have had the pleasure to know for several years now. The Librarian, Fergus Wilde, and his wonderful predecessor, the late Michael Powell, were both on my PhD supervisory team and were always happy to chat and to answer any and all questions I had about Humphrey Chetham, his Library, and his parish libraries.
I am also extremely grateful to colleagues old at Manchester Metropolitan University and to colleagues new at the University of St Andrews, all of whom have been ready with words of support and encouragement, as well as practical assistance, when I needed it most. My PhD experience would have been far less enjoyable and fruitful without the guidance and inspiration of my supervisors, Dr Rosamund Oates and Dr Kathryn Hurlock. Adapting my PhD thesis into this monograph would have been far less enjoyable and far more difficult without the guidance of Professor Andrew Pettegree and Dr Arthur der Weduwen. Special thanks must also go to Professor Mark Towsey at the University of Liverpool, who examined my thesis in my viva voce and who has been a constant source of support and advice since then.
To my friends, old and new, particularly Dr Thomas McGrath and Dr Owen Rees, my heartfelt thanks. To my family, my sisters, Sophie and Molly, who were patient and supportive through all the ups and downs, and my parents, Ian and Jillian, who give me unconditional love and support, I love you.