Arundell Archive

Acquisition of part of the Arundell Archive (the other part was acquired at the same time by the Cornwall County Record Office). The archive represents the papers of two branches of the Arundell family, a prominent Roman Catholic family which settled in Wiltshire from the 16th century, and the Arundells of Lanherne, the senior line established in Cornwall in the 13th century. The two branches were united by marriage in the 18th century. The surviving papers of the Arundells of Lanherne are of exceptional richness for the medieval period, including over 2,000 deeds, account and court rolls of both monastic and secular origin. An important sub group relates to the prominent West Country family of Dynham, including 14th century household accounts. The records of the Wardour Branch of the family date mainly from the post-Reformation period, but include extensive household, personal and estate records from the 16th century onwards. There are also papers of considerable architectural and artistic interest, including those relating to the magnificent 18th century chapel attached to Wardour Castle.