The Friends of Lambeth Palace Library

The Friends brings together like-minded people with an interest in the Library, and provides invaluable assistance in the acquisition of rare books and manuscripts through grants to the Library.  Printed books presented by the Friends in this way have included the famous indulgence of Leo X issued in 1516 on the eve of the Reformation, a presentation copy of Luther's tract against Henry VIII printed in 1522, the very rare Book of Common Prayer of 1559, the first prayer book of Elizabeth I, and the first English edition of Foxe's Book of Martyrs of 1563. 

Manuscripts have included letters and papers of Archbishops Arundel, Sancroft, Manners Sutton and Howley, papers relating to the divorce of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, and an important series of documents removed from the study of Archbishop Laud after his arrest and recovered with the help of the Friends more than three hundred years later. 

The annual meeting of the Friends is held in the Great Hall of Lambeth Palace each summer, followed by a lecture by a well-known scholar and by convivial refreshments, to which all Friends are invited. Friends also receive a copy of the Library's annual report, which includes information on all the Library’s activities, as well as details of books and manuscripts acquired during the year.

Please join the Friends so that, with your help, the Library may continue to develop and flourish. To access this file you will need the free Adobe Acrobat reader. Please note that this is a large file. If you are unable to access the membership application form or would prefer to receive one by post, please contact the Library.