Archives

Our History

The earliest surviving reference to the College ‘Archivium’ is contained in a manuscript by Fr Henry More SJ, dating from the early 17^th century. The entry briefly describes the types of record which would be retained there, including the founding documents of the school. The College Archives have continued to collect in this tradition, laid down three centuries ago.

While fires, expulsions, suppressions, and wars caused numerous records of the school to be destroyed or dispersed, many documents and manuscripts have survived or returned to the Archives. These College records form the core of the holdings today, and have been increased over later centuries, particularly during the 19^th and 20^th centuries at Stonyhurst. In addition, the Archives have acquired a nationally-significant and varied manuscripts collection, often donated by former pupils and Jesuit priests, with items dating from the Middle Ages to the 19^th century.

More information and introductions to all of these collections can be found in the documents linked below. These will be periodically updated, as catalogues and lists are reviewed in the future.

If you wish to contact us, you can do so through the form on our contact page.