Eikon Basilike

Welcome to the Special Collections Guide to the Eikon Basilike

This guide provides an overview of the editions and resources on the Eikon Basilike held in the Literature and Rare Books collection in Special Collections and University Archives at the University of Maryland, that are available in the Maryland Room in Hornbake Library.

The Pourtrature of His Sacred Majestie in His Solitudes and Sufferings, more commonly know as the Eikon Basilike, was an autobiography attributed to King Charles I of England (1600-1649). It was published ten days after the King was beheaded by Parliament in the aftermath of the English Civil War. It provides a fascinating look at English politics and history, biography and representation, printing, and the power of a text over time.

If you have any questions about the Eikon Basilike or the various copies held in Special Collections, contact us.

Use the University of Maryland classic catalog to search for titles in the rare book collection by date of publication, author, or keyword. Select Advanced Search and select Marylandia and Rare Books to search for works housed in Special Collections and University Archives.

Contact us with any questions about locating books in Special Collections and University Archives at the University of Maryland.

All rare books can be requested online and viewed in the Maryland Room, located in Hornbake Library at the University of Maryland College Park.

Search the library catalog to find books and other material from Special Collections at the University of Maryland. You can search by keyword, author, title, and subject heading.

To view books in Special Collections, schedule an appointment to visit the Maryland Room in Hornbake Library. The Maryland Room is open by appointment Monday - Friday. Schedule an appointment online. 

Once you schedule your appointment:

• Register for a special collections account 
• Make requests for what you want to view 
• For details on how to make your requests view the Guide for Requesting Materials from Special Collections & University Archives

If you have any questions or need assistance contact us!