Book made by the future Queen Elizabeth I to go on display

The Bodleian Libraries will display a book made by the future Queen Elizabeth I in their new Gifts and Books exhibition.

The new exhibition will focus on the importance of giving and receiving books and what this reveals about human relationships and beliefs. The book by the future Queen Elizabeth I is a translation of The Mirror or Glass of the Sinful Soul and includes an embroidered cover with the initials of Queen Katherine Parr. Elizabeth gave the book Katherine as a New Year’s Gift in 1544.

Other pieces on display will include a beautiful Qur’an manuscript that later belonged to an Indian ruler, as well as a Jewish prayer book and several books of Christian devotion.

Dr Nicholas Perkins, curator of Gifts and Books, says, “Giving and receiving books and stories is something we all do to make friends and form communities. Over the centuries, books have not only been precious gifts, but have also spoken to us about giving, receiving and reciprocating. Our exhibition explores and celebrates this power that the gift generates.”

The exhibition will be accompanied by a book, published on 16 June 2023 by Bodleian Library Publishing, Gifts and Books, edited by curator Nicholas Perkins.

Gifts and Books
16 June – 29 October 2023
Weston Library, Bodleian Libraries, Oxford