the late sixteenth century saw the library go through a period of decline: the library's furniture was sold, and only three of the original books belonging to duke humfrey remained in the collection.[11] during the reign of edward vi, there was a purge of "superstitious" (catholic-related) manuscripts.[12] it was not until 1598 that the library began to thrive once more,[13] when thomas bodley (a former fellow of merton college, who had recently married a wealthy widow[14]) wrote to the vice chancellor of the university offering to support the development of the library: "where there hath bin hertofore a publike library in oxford: which you know is apparent by the rome it self remayning, and by your statute records i will take the charge and cost upon me, to reduce it again to his former use."[15] six of the oxford university dons were tasked with helping bodley in refitting the library in march 1658.[16] duke humfrey's library was refitted, and bodley donated a number of his own books to furnish it. the library was formally re-opened on 8 november 1602 under the name ?bodleian library? (officially bodley's library).[11] there were around two thousand books in the library at this time, with an ornate benefactor's register displayed prominently, to encourage donations. early benefactors were motivated by the recent memory of the reformation to donate books in the hopes that they would be kept safe.[17]
