This important collection of manuscripts comprises the archives of Westminster Abbey from the 10th century to the present day. The core of the collection consists of the accounts and court records of the Abbey’s very large landed estate, which was scattered widely across southern and midland England, together with the accounts of the various administrative officials, such as the Almoner and Cellarar (to 1540) and the Steward and Treasurer (from 1560). But the Muniments also include many other types of document, such as minutes of Chapter meetings, leases of Abbey property, some records of coronations and funerals, letters, coroners’ inquest and much else. There are description slips and an index to the medieval, early modern and some of the modern archive, which can be consulted in the Library; a duplicate index is in the Bodleian Library, Oxford.

A general introduction can be found in:

Lawrence E. Tanner, ‘The nature and use of the Westminster Abbey Muniments’ Transactions of the Royal Historical Society, 19 (1936), 43-80.

Books which publish parts of the collection include:

Emma Mason, Westminster Abbey Charters 1066-c.1214, London Record Society 25 (1988).

Barbara Harvey, Documents Illustrating the Rule of Walter de Wenlok, Abbot of Westminster, 1283-1307, Camden 4th series 2 (1965).

M.D. Davis, Hebrew Deeds of English Jews before 1290 (London, 1888)

See also Westminster Abbey Record Series pages.

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