I have three major things still on my list of 'stuff I can do as an Oxford resident' : to use my postcode to get in free to look around some of the colleges; to go iceskating in winter; and to spend some serious time in the Bodleian library.
The thing is, just living in Oxford still isn't enough to get you into the third. So today I went back to my tourist roots and signed on for a guided tour.
The Bodleian Library is the official library of Oxford University, the largest university library in Europe and second largest behind only the British Library in the UK.
The tour takes in row upon row of ancient books in the section (still open to Readers, although under careful supervision) of ancient books: here a collection of Shakespeare, there an ancient Euclid, in the timber roofed, ornately painted section known as Duke Humfrey's Library. Back before anyone had even heard of XX Bodley, in 1320, Oxford University's first library was housed beside the Church of St Mary the virgin, right next to where the library's main buildings now stand. In the 15th Century, Duke Humfrey of Gloucester (whose older brother was better known as King Henry V) donated a princely gift indeed: 281 manuscripts and assorted papers and a new building - the one that still stands - was needed. The place was stripped bare during the reformation, but restored in the 1590s by a farsighted chappy with a passion not just for books, but also for finances and fundraising. Enter Sir Thomas Bodley. He not only paid for the refurbishment of the library but also a massive extension and tons of books (courtesy of having been a diplomat for Queen Elizabeth I and duly rewarded with marriage to a rich widow). Oh, and he left some top-notch plans to finance the upper storeys of the building his own fortune had started.
The library lends to no man (or woman, for that matter), even Charles I was refused permission to take out a loan. As a consequence (okay, and also because Bodley's other stroke of genius was to score a deal from the Stationers' Company of London, which ensures that one of every book ever published in England gets lodged at the library), the library has some amazing old stuff - and not just books.
A free exhibition of 'cool stuff donated by loaded old boys' includes a 12th century copy of Bede's "Life of St Cuthbert", William of Malmesbury's "Gesta Pontificium Anglorum", written in 1125. There's also a copy of Boccaccio's first Biography, written in 1362 and previously owned by pope Pius V. Okay, some of these are actually owned by some of Oxford's college library's (Magdalen mostly) - somehow, although Bodley won't lent stuff out, they can borrow stuff IN!
Then there's a 500 year old set of embroidered gloves from a Tudor benefactor, and a priceless bishops mitre with countless seed pearls, and John Betjemen's stuffed teddybear (not on show, I saw it last time I was here).
I can't believe I've waited nearly 3 years to come here. And I know now I just HAVE to come up with a suitable line of study that would enable me to pick up a Reader's ticket. Becoming a friend of the Library is a poor first step in the right direction - but it's a start.
What's the difference between 'friend' and 'Honourable friend'? An extra £15 a year. I couldn't resist.
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