The exhibition celebrates Christ Church’s collection of early editions of the Book of Common Prayer and related material which bears witness to a tumultuous period of religious and political history. Highlights of the exhibition include William Tyndale’s New Testament of 1526; the controversial first Scottish Prayer Book of 1637, prepared for the Church of Scotland under the direction of Archbishop Laud; and a 1651 first edition of Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan, a masterpiece of political theory inspired by experience of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.

Sarah Mortimer will give a short talk about the prayer book and early modern religion, and there will be a chance to see the exhibition with some refreshments.

All are welcome – please RSVP to mailto:library@chch.ox.ac.uk

Please note that access to the Upper Library is by stairs only and may cause difficulty for anyone with limited mobility.