Dr J M Robinson
Librarian to The Duke of Norfolk

Sara Rodger
Assistant Librarian

Heather Warne
Archivist

Margaret Richards
Library & Archive Assistant

Telephone 01903 882173
(Tuesday and Wednesday only)

Email archive@arundelcastle.org

The Duke of Norfolk's archives form one of the largest private collections in the country. Those kept at the Castle include all the family papers and the southern estate papers (Norfolk, Suffolk, Surrey, Sussex and London). The northern estate papers, except title deeds, are on loan-deposit at Sheffield Record Office and Hull University Library. The collections at Arundel comprise documents from the 12th century to the early 20th century.

The Archives have only been concentrated at Arundel since the Second World War. Until 1938 the Muniment Room was at Norfolk House in London and all the deeds and medieval court rolls were kept there. These form the historic core of the collection and were catalogued by the Duke's Archivist, Charles Kent in 1889, though that catalogue is now being revised.

The conscious conservation and accumulation of historic papers began in the late 18th century. The 11th Duke employed various scholars and antiquarians to sort and study the papers, including his kinsman Henry Howard of Corby who sorted many of the deeds in the course of researching his book, The Memorials of the Howard Family (1834). The 12th, 13th and 14th Dukes employed the Revd. Mark Aloysius Tierney as their chaplain and archivist from circa 1815 to circa 1850. He wrote The History and Antiquities of Arundel (1834), still the standard work .

The 15th Duke of Norfolk spent a lot of money on the archives in the late 19th century, refitting the muniment room at Norfolk House and cataloguing and repairing the collection. He employed Charles Kent in the late 19th century. From 1900 until his death in 1947 the Librarian and Archivist was Mr. R.H. Wilton, a former anglican vicar of Everingham, who became Catholic. From 1950 until his death in 1978 Dr. Francis Steer was the Librarian and Archivist and since 1979 Dr J.M. Robinson.

The archives have been progressively catalogued since 1960. Dr. Steer, latterly assisted by Miss Taylor, produced 4 printed catalogues, published by West Sussex Record Office. Mrs Heather Warne is currently re-cataloguing the vast deed collection which comprises over 3000 medieval deeds as well as upwards of 8000 post-medieval estate deeds. Alan Readman from the West Sussex Record Office has sorted the Estate Office papers dating from the late 18th century to the 20th century. This is one of the most complete estate collections in the south of England. Scot Cairns, an American scholar has cataloged the papers of the 1st and 2nd Lord Lyons (eminent Victorian statesman). Copies of these catalogues are available at the National Archives, Kew.

The principal groups of papers now at Arundel are:

The commercial papers of John Aylward merchant of Waterford, Eire, the 10th Duke's great grandfather.

The papers of Admiral Lord Lyons, British Ambassador to Greece, and the 2nd Lord Lyons, Ambassador to Washington. The 1st Lord Lyons was the 15th Duke's grandfather.

Relating to Arundel Castle, Norfolk House and other family properties.

Family wills, including that of Bess of Hardwick grandmother of Alethia, Countess of Arundel

The medieval College of Arundel records preserved or copied as part of the 19th century litigation to establish finally the Howard family's ownership of the Chapel.

Covering the estates in Sussex, Surrey and Norfolk.

Re Rotten Borough representation (owned by the 11th Duke of Norfolk) pre Parliamentary Reform (1832)

Pedigrees, family settlements, commissions, honours and peerages.

The earliest letter is signed by Henry VIII

The 15th Duke's brother was heir to the unsettled estates of the Earls of Shrewsbury and inherited douments relating to land in Staffordshire and Oxfordshire.

Relating to estates in over a score of English and Welsh counties

Court rolls, rentals, accounts etc. containing details re: towns and villages, buildings, mines, investments, woodland, rivers, harbours, ferries, foreshore etc.

The Duke of Norfolk is the hereditary Earl Marshal, one of the great offices of State, responsible for State Ceremonial including the Coronation.

Today the archives are administered by a small part-time staff assisted by volunteers.

How to use the archives

Before visiting the archives you need to consult the four published volumes of Arundel Castle Archives, edited by Dr Francis Steer and published by West Sussex County Council.  These are not available online but at the following locations:

• The National Archives at Kew
• The British Library
• The Bodleian Library Oxford
• The University of  Cambridge Library
• The West Sussex Record Office
• The East Sussex Record Office
• The Norwich Record Office
• Sheffield Archives

Public Libraries in Sussex*:           

• Crawley
• Brighton
• Worthing
• Chichester
• Littlehampton
• Arundel
• Horsham
• Surrey History Centre, Woking, Surrey

* I would advise telephoning these libraries in advance of visiting to ensure the catalogues are available.

Having consulted the catalogues, if you wish to visit the archives, you may do so on a Tuesday or a Wednesday by prior appointment.  The appointment system is necessary for two reasons.  One, we are only here two days each week and have limited space for researchers.  Two, the documents need to be ordered and retrieved in advance of your visit for security reasons.

The Trustees make a charge of £15 for half a day and £20 for a whole day’s research.  For long term academic, or other worthwhile research, an annual fee of £80 is available at the archivist’s discretion.  In certain circumstances eg if you live abroad, it may be easier for us to undertake the research on your behalf.  The charge for this is £25 per hour (inc VAT).

Photocopies and digital photography of archives can be undertaken at the discretion of the librarians/archivists.

Please telephone 01903 882173 (on Tuesday or Wednesday) to discuss your research requirements and/or to give us a list of document references (this must include the letter at the top of the page as well as the number).  Our hours are 10 am – 1 pm, then 2 – 5 pm.             

For further information please e-mail: archive@arundelcastle.org

Archive Exhibition Room with an annual exhibition is open from 1 April to 31 October 2010 as part of the visitors’ route in the Castle. Cardinal Newman (1801 – 1890) is to be beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on a visit to Britain in September this year. The 2010 exhibition is devoted to the historic links between Cardinal Newman and the Dukes of Norfolk.

Click here to download the Catalogue of The Library at Arundel Castle, Volumes I and II, compiled by Messrs Hatchard, 1905

Please click here –
Heather Warne Archivist at Arundel Castle offers an enlightening introduction to life in the archives of a stately home.
Record Keeping, Spring 2005, pp 22-24 (The National Archives, 2005)

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