Duke Humfrey's Library

[1] In 1550, during the Reformation, the King's Commissioners despoiled the library in order to destroy the vestiges of Roman Catholicism in the country.

Some of the books were taken and hidden by people in their homes to protect them- they are slowly returning to circulation, and in 1556 the furniture was removed by the university.

[2] The Library was refitted and restored from 1598 by Sir Thomas Bodley and between 1610 and 1612, the east wing (now the Arts End) was added.

The books in the oldest part are in housed in oak bookcases at right angles to the walls, with integral desks.

It houses collections of maps,[5] music, Western manuscripts, and theology and art materials.