back to contents

Back To Basics Weekend
Saturday 15th September 2001
 

Bodleian Library

After the Sheldonian we met outside the Bodleian library and were divided into what Antony called ‘colour co-ordinated groups’ for our tours. Once we had distinguished the difference between black and very dark blue we were divided into groups of about fifteen and were well on our way.

We were given an extremely extensive tour of the library which looks small from the outside but has a “T.A.R.D.I.S.” like interior that runs underground in basements which house the some six million books that the library currently owns.

We began in the Divinity School, which has an ornately decorated ceiling with many of the coats of arms of benefactors and contributors to the funding and building of the Bodleian. After the completion of the Sheldonian Wren designed a doorway connecting the theatre to the Divinity School and the latter is used, to this day, by masters preparing for ceremonies in the neighbouring building.

At the end of the Divinity School there is a doorway that leads through to Convocation House where the Vice Chancellor of the university conducts his committee meetings. Just off Convocation House is a small room, which is set up as a courtroom. Our guide informed us that any graduate or student of the university was entitled to be tried by the university if they were accused of a crime anywhere in the world. The authorities would have to respect their decision and bring them back to Oxford for their trial. It is understood that the Oxford court would never pass the death sentence, even for such a heinous crime as murder and would commute the death sentence into life imprisonment (probably in Cambridge which would have much the same effect - Antony). The only time that the Oxford court could be vetoed was in the case of high treason against king and country.

Geography of the Bodleian Library and surrounding buildings

During the English civil war Charles I made Oxford the capital for a short while and summoned parliament to Convocation House. Charles II also summoned his parliament to Oxford during the Great Plague of 1665.

In 1444 Humpfrey, Duke of Gloucester, donated 279 manuscripts to the university and subsequently the university decided to build on top of the Divinity School to house his magnificent gift. The Duke Humphrey’s Library is used by the students of Oxford today and holds within it some of the oldest and most beautifully kept books in the world.

After walking through one of the library rooms we were led down a flight of stairs into the basement of the library. The university is constantly trying to combat the problem of space in which to house one of the largest collections of books in the world. They are sent a copy of every book that is published in England (including a copy of this newsletter and other Society publications) and receive a van full of new books every week, which have to be tagged and shelved in time for the next delivery seven days later.

Part of this problem has been combated by massive basements, which are crammed with shelves. These have runs and wheels on which they can be pulled out and then slid back into place, maximising the space potential. We were shown the system that enables the books to get from one part of the vast library stores to another. It is a fairly simple tube on wire device, which sends the orders to the appropriate sections of the library. Then a system of large steel cases carries the books back to where they have been ordered. Our guide told us that as well as the massive selection of books and manuscripts the library also holds every thesis that has ever been written by a student and an extensive collection of English, European modern and antique pornography. Unfortunately this section, which would surely have interested Chief Inspector Morse, was locked in a cell type holding room for fear that the students might not be able to resist the temptation to borrow some of it!

When we emerged into daylight we were all very impressed and very well informed about how such a magnificent and increasing collection of books and manuscripts are managed effectively at the university.

Lunch was provided at the Kings Arms (Holywell Street) mentioned in NEIG where we took the opportunity to relax and rest our aching limbs whilst enjoying a wide selection of food and drink!

After a short rest we were taken down to the river and thrust out on the water in punts and rowing boats for an hour, a few brave souls took charge of the big long poles and tried to avoid crashing into banks and shrubberies whilst the others looked on in amusement with no intention of moving from the comfort of their seats! As with the rest of the weekend we were extremely lucky with the weather and it only started to spit slightly when we were redocking at the boat station. By now we were all fairly exhausted and looking forward to the prospect of dinner.

However, before this there was the option of an additional tour thanks to Colin Bain who is both a Fellow at Magdalen College and a chemist with access to the University Laboratories. The chemical laboratories are actually the work place of Max et al in the television series. We viewed with interest the various pieces of equipment as well as a special notice board showing some stills from the filming that had taken place there over the years. Back at the college we were shown two of the ‘student’ rooms used in filming and as a special treat were invited to climb the stairs and ladder leading to the roof of the tower. The risk to life and limb were well worth it for those who managed the climb and were rewarded with panoramic views of Oxford and the surrounding countryside.