York Minster has the largest cathedral library in England. The original library was established in the eighth century, but nothing survives from this period. A new collection was begun in 1414 when John Newton left books to the Minster, and a new library was erected. Further bequests followed - including in 1628 the important collection of Tobie Matthew, archbishop of York - which reflect the religious controversies of the sixteenth century. Today the library contains some 120,000 items, of which more than 25,000 were printed before 1801. This catalogue, published in 1896, was compiled by James Raine (1830-96), chancellor of York Minster, a leading figure in the nineteenth-century restoration of the library. It contains an alphabetical list of most of the printed books that were then in the library, but does not include recent theological acquisitions or the bequest by Edward Hailstone (d.1890) of 10,000 items on Yorkshire.

James Raine (1830-96) was chancellor and canon of York Minster and secretary of the Surtees Society, established by his father between 1854 and 1895. He edited this work for the Rolls Series in 1873. Covering the period 1265 to 1415, it illustrates the ecclesiastical history of the north of England through a vast collection of Latin documents taken from the episcopal registers of Carlisle, Durham and York. Material from Durham and Carlisle deals largely with England's tumultuous relationship with Scotland. Significant space is devoted to the mostly complete registers of York, a centre for parochial reform and the dissemination of royal instruction throughout the period covered. The registers of Peckham and Thoresby in particular demonstrate their dedication to the Church and diocese. Overall, the documents provide valuable insight into the northern sees, the personal history of bishops and sovereigns, and the general history of medieval England.

James Raine (1830 96), canon of York, edited in three volumes these Latin works relating to the diocese, covering the period from 650 to 1522. Volume 1, published in 1879, contains four lives of St Wilfrid (c.634 c.710) as well as lives of other early bishops. The most important life is that by Aeddi, a Northumbrian who travelled with Wilfrid and wrote his account soon after the saint's death. It contains material not found elsewhere, is too early to have been influenced by Bede, and was closely modelled on the life of St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne. Also included are lives of bishops John (d. 721) and Oswald (d. 992), and Alcuin's verse account of the saints and bishops of York. Raine's preface gives an account of the ecclesiastical history of York and of the manuscript sources he used. English side-notes to the Latin text are also provided.

James Raine (1830 96), canon of York, edited in three volumes these Latin works relating to the diocese, covering the period from 650 to 1522. Volume 2, published in 1886, contains a twelfth-century history of the four bishops of York from 1070 to 1127 (with additions to 1153) by Hugh the Chantor, who was precentor of York. It is an important eyewitness source on the centuries-long dispute between York and Canterbury. There is also, on the same topic, a letter from Archbishop Ralph to the Pope, some anonymous lives of the twelfth-century bishops Thurstan and William FitzHerbert, some minor lives of St Oswald, and assorted letters. The unpublished part of a chronicle of the diocese by various authors, including Thomas Stubbs, covering the fourteenth century to the time of Cardinal Wolsey, completes the volume. English side-notes to the Latin text are provided throughout.

James Raine (1830 96), canon of York, edited in three volumes these Latin works relating to the diocese, covering the period from 650 to 1522. Volume 3, published in 1894, contains a miscellany of 176 charters, letters, wills, papal bulls and other documents, dating from 930 to 1522, extracted from the registers of the archbishops and the muniments of the dean and chapter. Only three date from before 1066. The lengthy struggle for the primacy between York and Canterbury, and between York and other dioceses such as Durham and Lincoln, is a regular cause of concern, and the archbishop of York also claimed the obedience of Scottish bishops. The volume ends with an inventory of the sumptuous jewels, plate and vestments belonging to the see at the beginning of the sixteenth century. An index to all three volumes is also provided, along with English side-notes to the Latin text.