Catholic Archives Society review

I am very grateful to Margaret Harcourt Williams and the Catholic Archives Society for this detailed review of the symposium and concert - HT

The World is Our House and the Cwm Library project

The World is Our House, a symposium on international Jesuit culture was held in Hereford in June and organised by, among others, Professor Maurice Whitehead of Swansea University.  

Hereford Cathedral Library holds the Cwm Library, the largest surviving seventeenth-century Jesuit library in Britain, which at present is being analysed in a joint project between Swansea University and Hereford Cathedral.  An aim of the symposium was to set the Library within its early modern Jesuit historical and international context and the title is a phrase used by the 16th century Jesuit Jerónimo Nadal, emphasising the international nature and mobility of the Jesuit order.

Cwm is on the border of Herefordshire and Monmouthshire and from 1622 was the Jesuit College of St Francis Xavier.  In 1678, during the unrest associated with the Popish Plot, it was raided and its library taken to Hereford Cathedral.  From the mid 20th century onwards, Interest has increased in the 150 or so books then identified as from the Cwm Library and it is now the subject of a doctoral thesis by Hannah Thomas of Swansea University.

The day was divided into two parts.  In the morning Professor Peter Davidson of Aberdeen University and Drs Adam Mosley and Peter Leech, both of Swansea University, spoke on Jesuit Arts, Science and Music in the early modern period, thus providing an overview of the cultural contribution made at that time by the Jesuits.

The afternoon talks concerned the Jesuits in late sixteenth and seventeenth century England and Wales.  Father Thomas McCoog SJ began with an overview of the work of the Jesuits in England and Wales; Jan Graffius of Stonyhurst spoke on Helena Wintour and Mary Bodenham, both of whom made lavishly decorated vestments, and Hannah Thomas completed the programme with a talk on the Cwm Jesuit Library itself.

Hannah Thomas presented delegates with the story of the project so far: she explained that she began by examining many volumes in the Cathedral Library and that by noting signatures, initials and other marks of identification she increased significantly the number of books in the Cathedral Library that had once been part of the Cwm Library.  However, she acknowledged that the full size of the Library is still unknown: the books taken to Hereford were found together in an outbuilding so may have been placed there deliberately to avoid the whole building being searched.  Also, books may have been borrowed and away from the Library when it was raided.  The existence of at least one outside the Cathedral’s collection is known, in the archives of the Catholic Archdiocese of Cardiff.  

Hannah explained that the Jesuits may have been warned of the raid and hidden some books.  The bishop of Hereford at the time was Bishop Croft, whose father had converted to Catholicism and had died with the English Benedictines at Douai in France; Bishop Croft himself was briefly a Catholic.

Hannah showed us an interesting message from Bishop Croft in which he asked government officials if he could keep the books in Hereford rather than sending them to London as was usual with such confiscated property.  He explained that the Cathedral Library was the best place for them and mentioned that they included one or two that would enhance his own collection.  

Hannah also spoke of other discoveries made, key inscriptions identified and analysed, research questions unanswered and the next steps the project is going to take.  

Additionally, there were exhibitions of early Jesuit books from the Cwm, of music from Dr Leech’s own collection and of sacred treasures from Stonyhurst.  The Cathedral’s Mappa Mundi and Chained Library could also be seen.  

The day ended in St Francis Xavier’s Church, Hereford, with a concert of music associated with Jesuits in the early modern era, including works by William Byrd, Tomás Luis de Victoria, Matthew Locke, Marc-Antoine Charpentier and others.

The organisers of the Symposium, in a generous gesture, gave everyone who attended a copy of ‘The Way of Perfection’ a short story by Jane Stevenson, produced in a limited edition for the Symposium by the St Omers Press, Stonyhurst.

This note was first written for the Bulletin of the Catholic Archives Society, due out in autumn 2013.  Hannah Thomas has agreed to speak at next year’s CAS Conference, see www.catholicarchivesociety.org

Herefordshire Catholic History Society review of the day

I am very grateful to Brenda Warde for this review of the day's proceedings. Brenda is Secretary of the recently formed Herefordshire Catholic History Society, and Archivist at Belmont Abbey. 

"At the Herefordshire Catholic History Society, of which I am secretary, we have been most fortunate to have had several talks by Hannah Thomas on the progress of her research into the fate of the books from The Jesuit Cwm Library.  Hannah had mentioned that a symposium was in preparation and as soon as I saw the planned programme for the day I jumped at the chance to sign up.   

The day lived up entirely to expectations with the six main speakers complementing each other beautifully through their different aspects on the subject.  The three morning speakers provided a comprehensive overview of the contributions made by the Jesuits to the culture of the seventeenth century, linking my previously rather unconnected bits of knowledge into a more cohesive background.    

I found Dr. McCoog’s explanation as to why the Jesuit Order decided to establish an English mission in the first place, in what were generally unpromising circumstances, a useful and informative setting for Hannah’s analysis of the actual books.  And, of course, the programme provided excellent opportunities, over a leisurely lunchtime and in the afternoon, to inspect the artefacts from Stoneyhurst, having heard a fascinating account of their provenance, and indeed the Cwm books themselves.

Apart from the major contribution of Swansea University to the actual programme, I also have to compliment the staff at the Cathedral for the smooth running of the day.  Then, of course, it was a wonderful rounding –off of the symposium to sit in the Jesuit church of St. Francis Xavier’s to listen to a concert of outstanding quality.  For the future I shall try, as Canon Pullin suggested, to take a more sympathetic view of Bishop Croft’s seizure of the Library in the first place!"

Brenda Warde

some photos of the conference

I am very grateful to Gordon Taylor LRPS who has provided me with these images of the day - all images are the property of Gordon, and should not be used or copied in any way

College Hall, Hereford Cathedral - packed with delegates!

Speakers in Panel 1 (L-R):
Professor Peter Davidson, University of Aberdeen
Dr Adam Mosley, Swansea University
Dr Peter Leech, Swansea University

Speakers and organisers in the beautiful Cloister Gardens (L-R): Canon Chris Pullin, Dr Rosemary Firman,
Professor Maurice Whitehead, Dr Adam Mosley, Hannah Thomas, Professor Peter Davidson, Janet Graffius,
Dr Peter Leech, Revd Dr Thomas McCoog, SJ

Hannah Thomas speaking to delegates from the Irish Jesuit Archives Damien Burke and Vera Orschel









Speakers in Panel 2 (L-R):
Janet Graffius, Curator of Special Collections,
Stonyhurst College

Hannah Thomas, Swansea University

Revd Dr Thomas McCoog, SJ, Fordham University, New York and Archivist of the British Province of the Society of Jesus, London

Irish Jesuit Archives conference report

What follows below is a report of the 'World is Our House' symposium and concert, written by delegates from the Irish Jesuit Archives, and also posted on their own blog, http://sjarchives.tumblr.com/. The archives, which contain the records of the Jesuits in Ireland from 1575-1980, have also posted a number of photos from the symposium on their Flickr page. Huge thanks to Vera and Damien for attending the conference and contributing their feedback.

Last Friday, 21 June 2013, I was lucky enough to attend the excellent Midsummer symposium on international Jesuit culture, 1540-1700 at Hereford Cathedral, Hereford, England. This was followed with an evening concert of early Jesuit music, to celebrate the re-evaluation of the Cwm Jesuit Library, housed at Hereford Cathedral since 1679. The Cwm Library(pronounced Coombe) is:

the largest surviving seventeenth-century Jesuit missionary library in Britain, is currently being analysed in depth as part of an exciting joint project between Swansea University and Hereford Cathedral, funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

The symposium, ‘The World is Our House’, sponsored by the Jesuit Institute in London and the British Province of the Society of Jesus, sought to focus on Jesuit Arts, Science and Music in the early modern period and the Jesuits in late-sixteenth- and seventeenth-century England and Wales. Introductions were by Dr. Rosemary Firman, Canon Chris Pullin and Professor Maurice Whitehead. Talks included:

The Jesuits and the Arts, 1540-1700 by Professor Peter Davidson, University of Aberdeen
The Jesuits and Science, 1540-1700 by Dr Adam Mosley, Swansea University
The Jesuits and Music, 1540-1750 by Dr Peter Leech, Swansea University
The Jesuits in England and Wales, 1580-1700: an overview by Reverend Dr Thomas McCoog, SJ, Fordham University, New York, and Archivist of the British Province of the Society of Jesus, London
Helen Wintour and Jesuit vestment-making in seventeenth-century Worcestershire by Janet Graffius, Curator of Special Collections, Stonyhurst College
The Cwm Jesuit Library at Hereford Cathedral by Hannah Thomas, PhD candidate, Swansea University 

There were also a number of fantastic exhibitions on show: Mappa Mundi, Chained Library exhibition, Books from the Cwm Library and Vestments from the seventeenth-century

We were afforded the opportunity to attend Choral Evensong in Hereford Cathedral, featuring unaccompanied seventeenth-century music and afterwards a concert of music, at St Francis Xavier’s RC Church, Hereford, associated with Jesuit colleges in the early modern era, 1600-1750. Dr. Peter Leech, the Musical Director of Cappella Fede organised the concert which included reference to William Byrd, Tomás Luis de Victoria, Matthew Locke, Marc-Antoine Charpentier and others, including the first modern performances of some recent archival discoveries that have not been played since the mid-1600s.

The World is Our House - a successful symposium!

This Friday, 21 June 2013, the 'World is Our House' symposium took place in the beautiful College Hall, Hereford Cathedral, followed by an evening concert in the nearby St Francis Xavier's RC Church, Broad Street, Hereford.

The title of the conference. 'the World is Our House' was chosen to embrace the core concept of the Society of Jesus that God is everywhere and can be served in every way, without the restrictions of a more traditional monastic way of life. One aim of the conference was to demonstrate how cohesive and connected every element of the Jesuit way of being is, even something as seemingly localised as the Cwm library is part of a bigger international tapestry. The phrase was used by Jerome Nadal SJ (1507-1580), an extremely important and influential early member of the Society of Jesus, who played a huge role in the success and growth of the Society.

Jerome Nadal, SJ (1507-1580)

The 'World is Our House' conference was a huge success - a sell out crowd of some 85 delegates from a huge variety of organisations and institutions attended to hear the six papers, as well as view the three exhibitions of Peter Leech's rare books and other items of Jesuitica, a display of some of the key inscriptions and texts from the Cwm Jesuit Library at Hereford Cathedral (pictured) and the beautiful embroidered 17th century chalice veils made by Helena Wintour and Mary Bodenham, which are on loan to Hereford Cathedral until the end of August. 

Cwm books on display in Hereford Cathedral Library & Archives Reading Room

The conference was opened by Canon Chris Pullin and Professor Maurice Whitehead, both of whom spoke of their individual experiences and connections with the Cwm Jesuit Library Project. The opening comments also set the aim of the day, which was to set the seventeenth century Cwm Jesuit Library in an international context, and to draw links between the Cwm library and the wider international Jesuit ideas, ideals and culture. 

The morning papers were focused on setting the scene, and introducing the Jesuits as an active and varied organisation in many areas of 17th century culture. Papers included the Jesuits and Art, 1540-1700 (Professor Peter Davidson, University of Aberdeen), the Jesuits and Science, 1540-1700 (Dr Adam Mosley, Swansea University) and the Jesuits and Music, 1540-1750 (Dr Peter Leech, Swansea University). All three papers were very well received, prompting a stimulating discussion and many interesting questions.

Over lunch time, delegates had the chance to view the three exhibitions, as well as the Hereford Mappa Mundi and Chained Library exhibition. 

After lunch, the focus of the afternoon papers shifted to a regional perspective, with papers specifically discussing the Jesuits in England and Wales, 1580-1700 (Reverend Dr Thomas McCoog, SJ, Fordham University, New York and Archivist of the British Province of the Society of Jesus, London) and Helena Wintour and Jesuit vestment-making in 17th century Worcestershire (Janet Graffius, Curator of Special Collections, Stonyhurst College). 

The final paper of the day was an overview of the Cwm Jesuit Library Project at Hereford Cathedral (Hannah Thomas, Swansea University), presenting delegates with the story of the project so far: discoveries made, key inscriptions identified and analysed, big research questions currently still unanswered and next steps that the project is going to take. Hannah's paper will be published in part in the next few blog posts, so keep an eye out for that! I would also be delighted if other delegates would like to contribute their own feedback and reviews of the day to the project blog at worldisourhouse.blogspot.com 

After lots of interesting questions and discussion, and ways to further enhance the project, the symposium part of the day was drawn to a close. Both Canon Chris Pullin and Maurice Whitehead gave thanks for the hard work of the Hereford Cathedral staff and volunteers who had made the day possible, as well as the generous sponsorship of the Jesuit Institute in London, the British Province of the Society of Jesus and an anonymous donor, who made the whole day possible. 

Delegates were given the opportunity to attend the exhibitions once more, which remained open until 5.15, and also to attend Choral Evensong in Hereford Cathedral, which featured specially chose unaccompanied 17th century music.

Finally, the day was rounded up with a fantastic concert of music associated with Jesuit Colleges in the early modern era, 1600-1750. Performed by Cappella Fede under the direction of Dr Peter Leech, the evening featured a range of musical pieces by William Byrd, Matthew Locke, Marc-Antoine Charpentier and others, and included the first modern performances of some recent archival discoveries that have not been heard since the 17th century. The concert took place at the nearby St Francis Xavier's RC Church, Hereford: the institutional successor of the Cwm as the headquarters of the College of St Francis Xavier, or the Welsh District, and therefore a fitting end to a fabulous day. 

Booking details

Please see below for the booking details for 21 June 2013, or click the link for a downloadable PDF:

Booking Form


A Midsummer symposium on international Jesuit culture, 1540–1700, with an evening concert of early Jesuit music, to celebrate the re-evaluation of the Cwm Jesuit Library, housed at Hereford Cathedral since 1679.

The library, the largest surviving seventeenth-century Jesuit missionary library in Britain, is currently being analysed in depth as part of an exciting joint project between Swansea University and Hereford Cathedral, funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). The study day will place the library within its larger international context by exploring the rich and fascinating world of seventeenth-century Jesuit culture.


Your name (as you wish it to appear on the symposium badge):


Institutional Affiliation (if applicable):



I wish to attend (please circle):

Symposium and evening concert £25 (£15 student)
(including buffet lunch and exhibition entry)

Evening concert only £7.50 (£4 student)


Payment method: Cheque (payable to Dean & Chapter of Hereford Cathedral)

Credit or debit card:

Card Type:

Card Number:

Expiry: ___________ Security Code: (3 digits on reverse): _______

A receipt of payment will be sent to you with your welcome pack

Your contact details:

Postal address:




Postcode: ______________

Email address: _______________________________________

Phone Number: ______________________________________

Special dietary or other requirements (if any):



Please return the completed form, with your chosen method of payment, to library@herefordcathedral.org, with the subject 'world is our house', or to

The Librarian
Hereford Cathedral Library,
5 College Cloisters,
Hereford,
HR1 2NG

Completed forms should be received no later than Friday 7 June 2013

Programme details released

The agenda and programme of events has now been finalised for our symposium on 21 June 2013, and will feature a series of lectures exploring different elements of the rich and varied culture of the Society of Jesus in the early modern period, ending with a celebration of the re-evaluation of the Cwm Jesuit Library, housed at Hereford Cathedral since 1679. The day will be finished off with a fabulous concert of music associated with Jesuit colleges in the early modern era, featuring some familiar names as well as some newly discovered pieces.

Booking details to follow soon, full programme below (click on the link for a downloadable PDF):

Conference Agenda

'The World is Our House': the seventeenth-century 
Hereford Cwm Jesuit Library in an international context

Friday 21 June 2013, Hereford Cathedral

A Midsummer symposium on international Jesuit culture, 1540–1700, with an evening concert of early Jesuit music, to celebrate the re-evaluation of the Cwm Jesuit Library, housed at Hereford Cathedral since 1679. The library, the largest surviving seventeenth-century Jesuit missionary library in Britain, is currently being analysed in depth as part of an exciting joint project between Swansea University and Hereford Cathedral, funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). The study day will place the library within its larger international context by exploring the rich and fascinating world of seventeenth-century Jesuit culture.

The symposium and concert have been made possible thanks to generous sponsorship from the Jesuit Institute in London, the British Province of the Society of Jesus,
and a donor who wishes to remain anonymous.

10.00 – Registration and coffee in College Hall, Hereford Cathedral, HR1 2NG

10.30 – Welcome and setting the context
Canon Chris Pullin, Chancellor, Hereford Cathedral
Professor Maurice Whitehead, Swansea University

Panel One: Jesuit Arts, Science and Music in the early modern period

10.45 – The Jesuits and the Arts, 1540–1700
Professor Peter Davidson, University of Aberdeen

11.15 – The Jesuits and Science, 1540–1700
Dr Adam Mosley, Swansea University

11.45 – The Jesuits and Music, 1540–1750
Dr Peter Leech, Swansea University

12.15 – Questions and Discussion

12.30–14.00 – Buffet Lunch, with time to view the exhibitions of early Jesuit books and music, and sacred treasures from the Special Collections at Stonyhurst College, Lancashire, as well as the Hereford Mappa Mundi and Chained Library exhibition.

Panel Two: The Jesuits in late-sixteenth- and seventeenth-century England and Wales

14.00 – The Jesuits in England and Wales, 1580–1700: an overview
Reverend Dr Thomas McCoog, SJ, Fordham University, New York, and Archivist of the British Province of the Society of Jesus, London

14.30 – Helen Wintour and Jesuit vestment-making in seventeenth-century
Worcestershire
Janet Graffius, Curator of Special Collections, Stonyhurst College

15.00 – The Cwm Jesuit Library at Hereford Cathedral
Hannah Thomas, PhD candidate, Swansea University

15.30 – Questions and Discussion

16.00 – Closing comments
Canon Chris Pullin, Chancellor, Hereford Cathedral
Professor Maurice Whitehead, Swansea University

16.15–17.15 – Exhibitions open Hereford Mappa Mundi and Chained Library exhibition close
at 17.00

17.30–18.15 – Opportunity to attend Choral Evensong in Hereford Cathedral, featuring
unaccompanied seventeenth-century music
________________________________________________________________________________

19.30 – Concert

THE WORLD IS OUR HOUSE
Music associated with Jesuit colleges in the early modern era, 1600–1750

CAPPELLA FEDE
Musical Director – Peter Leech

Works by William Byrd, Tomás Luis de Victoria, Matthew Locke,
Marc-Antoine Charpentier and others, including the first modern performances of some recent archival discoveries.
St Francis Xavier’s RC Church, Broad Street, Hereford, HR4 9AP

For further information, please visit the conference web page worldisourhouse.blogspot.com
e-mail
library@herefordcathedral.org
or call 01432 374225/6