Burghley House, Stamford, was built between 1555 and 1587 for William Cecil, Lord Burghley, the Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I. The library there contains an extensive collection of manuscript and printed music dating from about 1650 to 1850, substantially formed during the latter part of the 18th century by the Ninth Earl of Exeter. The collection is given particular significance by the inclusion of several rare and in some cases apparently unique volumes.