The Bodleian Library () is the main research library of the University of Oxford. Founded in 1602 by Sir Thomas Bodley, it is one of the oldest libraries in Europe. With over 13 million printed items, it is the second-largest library in Britain after the British Library. Under the Legal Deposit Libraries Act 2003, it is one of six legal deposit libraries for works published in the United Kingdom, and under Irish law it is entitled to request a copy of each book published in the Republic of Ireland.
Bodleian Library at Oxford University, founded by Thomas Bodley, formally opens
The Bodleian Library () is the main research library of the University of Oxford. Founded in 1602 by Sir Thomas Bodley, it is one of the oldest libraries in Europe.
Historical Significance
The Bodleian Library () is the main research library of the University of Oxford.
Events Before
A fleet of five British East India Company vessels departs on its first voyage from London, led by James Lancaster comma
A fleet of five British East India Company vessels departs on its first voyage from London, led by James Lancaster commanding the "Red Dragon"; the journey lasts nearly 16 months
Louis Gunther of Nassau weds countess Anna Margaretha of Manderscheid
Louis Gunther of Nassau weds countess Anna Margaretha of Manderscheid
Church authorities in Rome burn Hebrew books
Church authorities in Rome burn Hebrew books
France gains Bresse, Bugey, Valromey, and Gex in a treaty with Spain
France gains Bresse, Bugey, Valromey, and Gex in a treaty with Spain
Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, leads an unsuccessful revolt in London against Queen Elizabeth
Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, leads an unsuccessful revolt in London against Queen Elizabeth
Events After
Scottish King James VI, son of Mary, Queen of Scots, becomes King James I of England in succession to Elizabeth I, uniti
Scottish King James VI, son of Mary, Queen of Scots, becomes King James I of England in succession to Elizabeth I, uniting the English and Scottish crowns
Chinese uprising in the Philippines fails after 23,000 people are killed
Chinese uprising in the Philippines fails after 23,000 people are killed
First fleet of the Dutch East India Company under Admiral Steven van der Haghen departs for the East-Indies
First fleet of the Dutch East India Company under Admiral Steven van der Haghen departs for the East-Indies
Battle at Mellifont: English army under Lord Mountjoy beats Irish
Battle at Mellifont: English army under Lord Mountjoy beats Irish
Merga Bien arrested for witchcraft in Fulda, Germany, part of Fulda witch trials. She and about 250 people later burned
Merga Bien arrested for witchcraft in Fulda, Germany, part of Fulda witch trials. She and about 250 people later burned at the stake.
More from the 1600s
Scotland begins its numbered year on January 1 instead of March 25
A leap year (also known as an intercalary year or bissextile year) is a calendar year that contains an additional day (or, in the case of a lunisolar calendar, a month) compared to a common year.
First edition of "El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha" (Part One of Don Quixote) by Miguel de Cervantes is pub
First edition of "El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha" (Part One of Don Quixote) by Miguel de Cervantes is published in Madrid
English traveller Robert Shirley marries Iranian noblewoman Teresa Sampsonia at the Safavid royal court
Teresa Sampsonia was a Circassian-English noblewoman of Safavid Iran. She was the wife of the Elizabethan English adventurer Robert Shirley, whom she accompanied on his travels and embassies across...
A fleet of five British East India Company vessels departs on its first voyage from London, led by James Lancaster comma
A fleet of five British East India Company vessels departs on its first voyage from London, led by James Lancaster commanding the "Red Dragon"; the journey lasts nearly 16 months
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on November 8, 1602?
- The Bodleian Library () is the main research library of the University of Oxford. Founded in 1602 by Sir Thomas Bodley, it is one of the oldest libraries in Europe. With over 13 million printed items, it is the second-largest library in Britain after the British Library.
- Why is Bodleian Library at Oxford University, founded by Thomas Bodley, formally opens significant?
- The Bodleian Library () is the main research library of the University of Oxford.