We have a library at each of our museums and all are open to the public but visitors must book in advance and photographic ID is required to access the special collections and archives.
All three libraries are currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the largest arms and armour reference libraries in the world
Over 40,000 books, pamphlets and journals, relating to the development and history of arms and armour, and related subjects:
art
technology
warfare
chivalry and knighthood
martial arts
hunting
shooting
general history
Museum and exhibition catalogues from around the world
Early books on fencing dating from the 14th to the 20th century, including works by:
Marozzo
di Grassi
Thibault
Hope
Angelo
Hutton
Books on the art of war and military manuals dating from the 16th to the late 19th century, including works by:
Sir John Smythe
Henry Hexham
Sir David Dundas
Captain Nolan
Arms and armour auction sales catalogues dating from the 1790’s to the present day
White Tower
Our library at the Tower of London collects material on the history of the Tower of London and its institutions, including:
Board of Ordnance
The Tower as a State Prison
Mint
Public Record Office
Menagerie
There is also a reference collection of works on arms and armour, castles and fortifications, and site related material
Photographs, historic prints and slides covering various aspects of Tower history
Archives containing historical documents relating to The Royal Armouries and Tower history
Microfilm archive with specific reference to the Yeoman Warders’ Dividends book 1660 – 1700
Records from St. Peter ad Vincula covering:
marriages (1587-1752)
baptisms (1587- 1821)
burials (1550-1821)
State Papers Domestic (1547-1625)
Fort Nelson
The library at Fort Nelson collects material on the history and development of artillery and fortification. There is also a small reference collection of works on arms and armour including:
Early books
handbooks,
drill manuals relating to artillery and fortification
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