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Notes of Henry Corder, mostly on churches

Reference code
COR
Title
Notes of Henry Corder, mostly on churches
Date
c.1880-1938
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and format
18 volumes
Quarto.
Half leather binding, brown. Bookplate of Henry Corder in COR/01.
Scope and content
The volumes include handwritten descriptions of the architectural, liturgical and decorative features of each church, written in an informal style. The descriptions are generally accompanied by captioned pen and ink or pencil sketches and photos of the churches, their features of interest and their surroundings. Additional printed information for some of the churches, such as newspaper cuttings, has been affixed by the author to the relevant pages. Brass rubbings and information about them feature extensively, as do epitaphs. Copies of heraldic shields are given in colour, often with notes about the families they represent.

The photos are possibly of most interest to a researcher as Corder was more of an enthusiast than, say, an expert architectural historian. The photos give interesting insights into the landscape and rural or urban settings of the churches and other features that are included.

Other points to note:
The churches are organised by geographical location, rather than dedication. They are not in alphabetical order.
Not all the churches in any given city or county are covered and sometimes the dedication is not recorded.
Place names and counties mentioned are as Corder records them. County boundaries may have changed.
Subjects treated in one volume can appear again in other volumes.
Only the pages containing the written notes are numbered. Blank spaces were left in several volumes, probably indicating that the author intended to include other entries at a later date.
Many inscriptions found on funerary monuments in the churches are copied out in full.
Some letters to the author, dealing with the churches or specific features of the churches, are included in the volumes.
Creator
Corder, Henry (1855-1944), antiquary and nurseryman
Previous reference number(s)
SAL/MS/957
MS 957
Archival history
The eighteen volumes in this collection were deposited in SA by Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society (SANHS) in 1975; volumes 6, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, relating mainly to Somerset, were retained by SANHS; volumes 5,7, 20 are missing.
Related units of description
Volumes of church notes relating to Somerset were retained by the Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Society (SANHS); see archival history. Corder's Natural History Diaries, 1903-26 (4 vols.) are also in SANHS.
Contents