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OXFORD
| Radcliffe Camera |
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| This is now part of the Bodleian Library. The University Church is in the background. |
Oxford is famous all over the world and it's
really lovely. The last time I went there was in May 2004. Oxford to me is medieval colleges, spires, the Radcliffe Camera,
the High Street, and bookshops.
BEGINNINGS
There is some evidence that the area that is now Oxford was
settled as early as 4000 BC.
Archaeological finds of Neolithic arrowheads and other remains
from that period have been discovered in the city, although no specific or more detailed evidence exists of an actual settlement
at this time. A large Neolithic population is known to have resided in Oxford.
A more permanent settlement between 2000 and 700 BC is suggested
by evidence of Bronze Age barrows in the area.
ANGLO-SAXON TIMES
Although Oxford (or Ohsnafordia, as it was known in Anglo-Saxon
times) wasn't really recognised by the Romans, in the Saxon age it began to assume a much greater importance within Britain.
This is especially true for the late Saxon period, when it was positioned on a major trade route between the two powerful
kingdoms of Mercia and King Alfred's Wessex.
King Alfred was responsible for the Saxon system of fortified
towns (known as 'burhs') that were built in an attempt to keep the Danes at bay, and in 911 (after Alfreds death), Oxford
became a burh itself. Under this new royal protection, its growth and importance accelerated. This may have been why it was
chosen as the site for a Royal Mint, which is suggested by the fact that coins from the period bear the mark of 'Ohsnafordia'.
In 1002 during the reign of Ethelred the Unready the 7th
century abbey was razed to the ground. Oxford's Danish population was blamed for the burning, and a large number of them were
massacred as part of the King's campaign to remove all Danes from England. It was later rebuilt as an Augustinian Priory.
In 1009 the Danes sacked Oxford in retribution for the 1002
massacre and just four years later the city, having increased in importance, was again forced to submit to Danish invasion
by Swein Forkbeard and his armies. In fact, Oxford was viewed as so important during this period that Canute chose the city
for his coronation in 1018.
MIDDLE AGES
Oxford continued its growth into the Middle Ages, but in 1138
the city suffered a huge fire, which effectively burnt it to the ground.
In the winter of 1142, Oxford Castle became the scene of a
siege when it was home to Queen Maud (Matilda), during her struggle with King Stephen. The queen only escaped the castle after
her guards lowered her over the walls and, in a white dress which effectively camouflaged her against the backdrop of winter
snow, she crept through enemy lines and across the Castle Mill stream to freedom.
Firmly established as an academic centre by the 13th century,
Oxford was drawing students from across Europe for studies focused on houses established by the Dominicans (1221), Franciscans
(1224), Carmelites (1256), and Augustinians (1267).
Oxford was hit hard by the plague (1348 - 1350) and during
this time the local colleges kept country houses outside of the city where scholars could flee. Oxford's population dropped
dramatically during this period, and the colleges took full advantage of this by buying up vacant property and greatly expanding
their holdings within Oxford.
TOWN AND GOWN
History
records a rocky relationship between the city of Oxford and the University of Oxford. Resentment towards the University on
the city's part stemmed largely from the scholars' legal precedence over the town. Until the 20th century the Chancellor of
the University had the legal right to trial over townsfolk, and it was only in 1974 that the university lost the right to
place its own representatives on the Oxford City Council.
In fact, the 'town and gown' of Oxford have experienced a rather
violent past with one of the most infamous outbreaks of rioting happening on 10 February 1354.
An argument over some wine served at the Swyndlestock Tavern
near Carfax Tower escalated and resulted in the towns population coming to the defence of the innkeeper against the student
patrons. What followed were three days of fighting, beating and killing of students in Oxford, plus the ransacking of colleges. Afterwards, the city was made to pay for college repairs and both the Mayor of Oxford and Burgesses were forced
to swear allegiance to the University's Chancellor every year in a special ceremony, which included paying token damages.
This continued well into the Victorian era.
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| LOTS OF INFORMATION ON THIS SITE |
| Hertford College Bridge |
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| It's also known as the Bridge of Sighs... |
In May 2003 it was the first time we took about 30
students of our school to Oxford.They had a guided tour and were given a number of assignments to carry out. We returned this
year on 17 to 19 May and everybody quite liked it.
We also took them to London, both in 2003 and in
2004. Although I do like London, I actually prefer the rest of England: it's more "real" as it were, if you know what
I mean. London's also just too crowded for me... Still, it's a lot nicer than Paris! (Though not everyone would agree with
me on this, I know.)
| CLICK THIS LOGO |
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For photos of our 2003 school trip to Oxford and London, click here
Most of the thumbs were taken in May 2004. They show
the Sheldonian Theatre and some other scenes nearby. In the Old School Quadrangle you can visit Divinity School.
| Sheldonian Theatre |
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| May 2003 |
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| Inside Divinity School |
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| Radcliffe Camera |
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| High Street |
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High Wycombe is east of Oxford, just across
the Chiltern Hills
WINDSOR
& ETON, BERKSHIRE
| Windsor |
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| Seen from Eton, across the River Thames |
| Eton |
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| School Yard at Eton College |
| Eton |
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| This is what you see when you have crossed the bridge coming from Windsor |
ETON'S HISTORY
Eton College was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as Kings College of
Our Lady of Eton beside Windsor. The College originally had 70 Kings Scholars or Collegers who lived in the College and were
educated free, and a small number of Oppidans who lived in the town of Eton and paid for their education.
Henry gave Eton a substantial income from land and took a keen interest
in the building process. The accommodation for the school along the north side of School Yard was completed in1443, as were
a single class room below (Lower School) and a large dormitory (Long Chamber) above. College Hall, where priests, Head Master,
and scholars could eat, was in use by 1450. Cloister Court, providing residential accommodation for priests and Fellows, was
completed about the same time.
After the Henry VI was deposed in 1461 by Edward IV, Parliament annulled
all grants of lands made by Henry: the College had its lands, ornaments, and relics transferred to St Georges, Windsor. The
College was saved from extinction, but the greatly reduced income meant the almshouse had to be abandoned and the number of
priests reduced. At this time, the early 1470s, the pilgrimage church was far from finished: the
choir had no roof and the building of the nave had not yet started. A former Provost of Eton, Bishop Waynflete, came to the
rescue of the College and arranged for the choir to be roofed in wood and for the west end to be completed by the addition
of the Antechapel (147982). This is the Chapel that exists today, which is a fine example of the Perpendicular Gothic style. Today it is a secondary school for approximately 1,290 boys between the ages of 13 and 18, all of whom are boarders.
There are 143 masters and a Governing Body composed of a resident Provost and
Vice-Provost together with 10 non-resident Fellows.
ELY, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
When Linda and I were staying
in Suffolk in the summer of 2003 (which was a real scorcher), we decided to go to Ely. I had never been before even though
I did travel in the area in the mid-70s. Temperatures were Meditteranean and the church itself was a real haven: nice and
cool. The church is visible from far away as it stands out in a very flat (rather un-English and more Dutch type of)
landscape.
I didn't know that the town also
boasts Oliver Cromwell's house, which is now the Tourist Information Office. Cromwell was a central figure in the English
Civil War (1642 - 1648), which ended in King Charles I being executed and Cromwell becoming Lord Protector until his death
in 1658.
The thumbs show different scenes around the cathedral,
with Cromwell's House among them.
| Octagon |
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| West entrance |
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| Cromwell's House |
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| From the south |
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