A history of the University of Oxford

Mythical origin of the University—Early Schools of Oxford—Intellectual revival of the twelfth century—Lectures of Vacarius, and first germs of the University—Connection of Oxfor...

Rise of Colleges—Foundation of University and Balliol—Foundation of Merton College—Merton College, Statutes of, 1274—Social position, manners, and academical life of early stude...

Europe in the fourteenth century—Social condition of the University—Intellectual vigour of the University—Foundation of Exeter, Oriel, Queen’s, and Canterbury Colleges—Foundatio...

Benedictines and Augustinians—Rise of Mendicant Orders—Claustral schools—Migration from Paris and influence of Robert Grostete—Position of the friars at Oxford, and University s...

Decline in numbers and studies—University delegates at the Councils of Constance and Basle—Foundation of Lincoln and All Souls’ Colleges—Extension of University buildings; the D...

Revival of academical life at the end of the fifteenth century—Checked by the Reformation—Pioneers of the new learning at Oxford—Erasmus, More, Colet, Grocyn, and Linacre—Founda...

Visitation under Elizabeth and policy of Archbishop Parker—Chancellorship of Leicester—Changes in the government of the University—Leicester’s administration of the University—D...

The University patronised by James I.—James I.’s attitude towards the University and the Church—Rise and influence of Laud—Completion of the ‘Schools,’ and foundation of Wadham...

Parliament at Oxford—Chancellorship of Laud—Compilation of Laudian statutes—Main provisions of the Laudian statutes—Studies and examinations under the Laudian statutes—Services...

The University sides with the King and the Church—The Commons issue an order for the University—Contributions for the King’s service, and first occupation of Oxford by Parliamen...

Measures preparatory to the Visitation—Appointment of the Visitors and the Standing Committee of Parliament—Early proceedings of the Visitors, and suppression of resistance from...

The Restoration and new Visitation of the University—Extension of University buildings. Sheldonian Theatre—Growth of æsthetic tastes and social refinement—First visit of Charles...

Attitude of the University towards the Revolution. Visit of William III.—Origin of Oxford Jacobitism. Visit of Queen Anne—Popularity of Sacheverell. Position of the Whig minorit...

Decay of University education in the eighteenth century—Contemporary evidence—Decline in numbers and dearth of eminence in science and literature—Counter-evidence showing that e...

Stagnation of University legislation in the eighteenth century—Statutes affecting the University—Political sympathies of the University after the outbreak of the French Revoluti...

Examination statute of 1800, and later amendments—Examination statute of 1850, and later amendments—University Commission of 1850—Act of 1854 and new College Ordinances—Effect o...

Character of the ‘Oxford Movement’—A reaction against the rising tide of Liberalism—Oriel the centre of the Movement—John Henry Newman—Origin of ‘Tracts for the Times’—Associati...

The University of Oxford has long ceased to claim the fabulous antiquity for which its mediæval champions had contended, as for an article of faith, and which found credit with...

By far the most important event in the academical history of the thirteenth century was the foundation of University, Balliol, and Merton Colleges. The idea of secular colleges,...

The fourteenth century deserves to be regarded as the most progressive and eventful in the history of the Middle Ages. All the kingdoms of Europe were engaged in wars, for the m...

The famous riot of St. Scholastica’s Day, 1354, may be regarded as the sequel of a similar fray in 1297. Both were simply violent eruptions of a deep-seated feud between the Uni...

The history of the monastic settlements at Oxford, and of their connection with the University, still remains to be written, but enough is known to show how great a part they pl...

The golden age of mediæval Oxford had culminated in the fourteenth century, and the fifteenth century ushered in a period of intellectual stagnation, which lasted for at least s...

The reign of Edward IV. may be regarded as a singularly blank period in University annals. The Wars of the Roses, in which feudalism perished by its own hand, but which left so...

With the accession of Elizabeth, in November 1558, the scenes were rapidly shifted, and the parts of the chief actors strangely reversed. For a while, in the quaint language of...

The influence acquired by the University of Oxford, as a power in the State, under the Tudor dynasty, was fully maintained by it under the Stuarts. If it had played a humbler pa...

The death of James I. and the succession of Charles I. produced no break in the continuity either of national or of academical history. With less shrewdness than his father, but...

The part to be taken by the University of Oxford in the great national struggle now impending was never for a moment doubtful. Throughout its history it had loyally acknowledged...

The Parliament, then dominated by Presbyterians, lost no time in preparing the University for the coming ‘reformation,’ by sending down seven Presbyterian divines with power to...

On Monday, February 13, 1660, news was brought to Oxford that a ‘free Parliament,’ or Convention, was about to be assembled, and was hailed with great rejoicings as a sure presa...

The Revolution of 1688-9 seems to have been quietly accepted at Oxford as an irrevocable fact rather than welcomed as the consecration of civil and religious liberty. For a whil...

If we seek to estimate the intellectual life of Oxford during the century following the Revolution, we find a significant dearth of trustworthy materials. Such evidence as we po...

We may pass lightly over the history of the University during the latter part of the eighteenth century, when its external and internal life were equally barren of memorable eve...

‘The studies of the University were first raised from their abject state by a statute passed in 1800.’ Such is the testimony of the Oxford University Commissioners appointed in...

The great Neo-Catholic Revival of the nineteenth century is so intimately identified with Oxford that it came to be widely known as the ‘Oxford Movement.’ It was less important...

The last chapter of University history covers a period within living memory, and practically coextensive with the reign of Queen Victoria. Its main interest consists in the rapi...