by Petra Hofmann (College Librarian) As a form of entertainment firework displays became popular in the Tudors era and reached an early peak during the Elizabethan Age (Kinchin-Smith). There were risks involved, however. In 1572, Robert Dudley presented a fireworks display for Elizabeth I at Kenilworth Castle when an error sent fireballs into the nearbyContinue reading “An Early Fireworks Manual”
Tag Archives: William Laud
Archbishop William Laud’s Qur’ān
by Petra Hofmann (College Librarian) MS 107 is one of St John’s five Qur’ān manuscripts. MS 107 is of North African provenance, probably from Morocco, dating from the late 16th or early 17th century. This is based on the decorations which suggest a production during the Sa’did dynasty (1511-1659) in Morocco. Wikipedia describes the Sa’did familyContinue reading “Archbishop William Laud’s Qur’ān”
A gift to support William Laud’s bid for President?
by Petra Hofmann (College Librarian) This manuscript of Terence’s Comedies (MS 117), produced in France around 1475, is one of the few manuscripts not produced in England that we hold at St John’s College. It is one of two medieval Terence manuscripts in the Library and one of several with Classics texts. Its beautiful decorationsContinue reading “A gift to support William Laud’s bid for President?”
Life Stories from St John’s: the famous & the forgotten
Library exhibition 9 September – 9 December 2022 Introduction For over 450 years the lifeblood of St John’s College has been the people who live and work inside its walls. Some have dedicated a good part of their lives to this College, while others have just passed through. Many have become famous and even moreContinue reading “Life Stories from St John’s: the famous & the forgotten”
The President, the “Prince”, and the Hedgehogs
An Exhibition in honour of Ruth Ogden, Deputy Librarian 1987-2022, on the occasion of her retirement Hilary Term 2022 Online Exhibition
MS 262: The Little Gidding Harmonies
This Special Collections post explores the biblical harmonies compiled by a religious community at Little Gidding in the seventeenth-century. One of the harmonies, The Whole Law of God, resides at St John’s College. The Little Gidding community provides a fascinating insight into the creation of this manuscript, and the many individual harmonies the community produced.Continue reading “MS 262: The Little Gidding Harmonies”
On This Day – The Laudian Library Opens
25 August 1636: the Opening of the Laudian Library The Laudian Library, St John’s College, Oxford To mark the opening of the new Inner Library, now the Laudian Library, Archbishop Laud held a lavish celebration, attended by King Charles I and Queen Henrietta.