Architecture

After combing through many references using the keywords - medieval architecture – Divinity School – Duke Humfrey’s Library - Bodleian Library – Oxford University, I slowly gathered a picture of the men commissioned to build these buildings which have been described as a masterpiece of English Gothic architecture.

I have found some excellent references in relation to the builders, tradesman and materials attributed to the building of the Bodleian Library. The Library is composed of three major portions; the original medieval section (completed 1487, rededicated 1602), the Arts End (1612) to the east, and finally in (1637) the Selden End was added to the west. What is known as the Schools Quadrangle and Tower of Five Orders, was completed in (1619). The tower of Five Orders was designed to introduce students to the five orders of Classical architecture : Doric, Tuscan, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite. Finally in (1637). The first stone was laid for the Arts End on July 19th 1610. The foundation stone for the Schools Quadrangle was laid on the 30th March 1612.