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 4 archive catalogues produced by Dr. Francis Steer (published 1968-1980 by West Sussex County Council) are now on line (see below). Mrs Heather Warne continues to catalogue the medieval and post-medieval deeds collection (around 11,000 items) relating to estates in many counties. Assisted principally by Mrs Margaret Richards, she is also producing a box list of all other material in the archives. This includes the later estate records from c. 1800 to 1975, the architectural drawings, prints, engravings and photographs, as well as the later 19thc. papers of Messrs. Few and Co., the ducal solicitors. Alan Readman, Archivist at West Sussex County Record Office, has recently overseen the cataloguing of the papers of the 1st and 2nd Lord Lyons. This collection is soon to be re-housed in the Arundel archives. Copies of all new lists are kept by the National Archives at Kew. A comprehensive guide to all archive collections has also been published.

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. in Sussex, Surrey, Norfolk, Suffolk, Yorkshire, Cumbria and other areas 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

1. Consult the published catalogues (see below for locations).

2. Make a list of documents you require – this must include the letter at the top of the page as well as the number e.g. MD 1619.

3. Telephone 01903 882173 on Tuesday or Wednesday to discuss your list and make an appointment. Ideally this should be at least 2 weeks in advance of your proposed visit as we have limited space for researchers.

The 4 published volumes of Arundel Castle Archives, edited by Dr Francis Steer, published by West Sussex County Council are available on line below

A  guide to the Archive Collections at Arundel Castle
Arundel Castle Archives Catalogue Volume I
Arundel Castle Archives Catalogue Volume II
Arundel Castle Archives Catalogue Volume III
Arundel Castle Archives Catalogue Volume IV 

Printed copies of the 4 published catalogues are available 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, Chichester
The East Sussex Record Office, Lewes
The Norwich Record Office
The Surrey History Centre, Woking, Surrey
Sheffield Archives

Public Libraries (reference section) in Sussex:
        Crawley
        Brighton
        Worthing (Local Studies Library)
        Chichester
        Littlehampton
        Arundel
        Horsham

You are strongly advised to telephone these libraries in advance of your visit to ensure that the catalogues are available.

Charges *
The Trustees make a charge of £15 for half a day and £25 for a whole day’s research. For long term academic, or other worthwhile research, an annual fee of £100 (for a maximum10 visits) is available at the archivist’s discretion. In certain circumstances e.g. if you live abroad, it may be easier for us to undertake the research on your behalf. The charge for this is £30 per hour (inc.VAT).

* No charge for castle guides researching Arundel Castle and Dukes of Norfolk.
Half price for castle guides’ personal research.

Reproduction
Photocopies and digital photography of archives can be undertaken at the discretion of the librarians/archivists. A signed copyright declaration and payment of a fee will be required for
this service.

Opening times
Tuesday & Wednesday only, 10am – 1 pm (closed for lunch 1 – 2 pm) then 2 – 5 pm.

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

Archive Exhibition Room an annual exhibition is open as part of the visitors’ route in the Castle.

The Duke of Norfolk, as Hereditary Earl Marshal is responsible for State Ceremonial, and the oversight of the Heralds at the College of Arms, and as a result there are, in the Archives at Arundel, many items relating to the Order of the Garter.  These include copies of the Statutes from the 16th to the 20th century, lists of the Knights at different dates, and patents of creation.

The spiritual home of the Order is St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, where the knights have seats in the Choir over which are placed their banners and carved wooden crests.  When Knights die, their crests pass to Garter King of Arms at the College of Arms. 

A selection of these representing post-war Knights of the Garter, including Winston Churchill and Harold Wilson, are currently on display in the Barons’ Hall, forming a splendid array of heraldry.

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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