The present volume is an attempt to present in a succinct form the history of an University which, however uncertain its origin, is among the oldest institutions in Europe. The result of such a task must needs fall very far short of perfection, and it is probably a just appreciation of its difficulties which has deterred abler historians from undertaking it. The voluminous remains of Anthony Wood contain a mine of precious records, but they are singularly ill-arranged, and his narrative breaks off long before the end of the seventeenth century. The great monograph of Father Denifle, now in course of publication, on the early history of European Universities, promises to be an exhaustive discussion of its subject; but its enormous bulk and unwieldy construction will repel most English readers, while it deals only with the rudimentary development of academical constitutions. The well-known compilation of Huber shows considerable research and grasp of the subject, but it follows no historical order, and is disfigured by much irrelevance and prejudice. The publications of the Oxford Historical Society have already placed documents hitherto scarcely accessible within the reach of ordinary students, but it will be long before the series can be completed. All these works, as well as the valuable ‘Munimenta Academica’ of Mr. Anstey, Professor Burrows’ ‘Visitors’ Register,’ and many other treatises of less note, have been freely consulted by me. I have also made use of the Merton College Register, which has been kept with few interruptions since the year 1482, and of other MSS. documents in the possession of my own College. But I have not thought it well to encumber the pages of so compendious a narrative with constant references to authorities. My principal aim has been to exhibit the various features and incidents of University history, age by age, in their due proportion; dwelling more upon broad and undisputed facts than upon comparatively obscure points which are the natural field of antiquarian speculation or criticism. Guided by a similar principle, I have not treated all periods of University history with equal detail. Thus, I have devoted a large share of space to the period of the Civil Wars, during which the University played a great part in the national drama; while I have passed lightly over the reign of George III., when the University had not only lost all political importance, but had forfeited its reputation as a place of the highest education and learning. In the selection of topics from so vast a mass of materials, I have sought to preserve the continuity of events, so far as possible, rather than to produce a series of essays on special aspects of University life. I have deviated, however, from this method in one or two instances, such as the chapter on Oxford politics in the eighteenth century, and that on the Neo-Catholic Revival. In several of the earlier chapters, and in those on Oxford in the present century, I have borrowed the substance of passages from my own volume, ‘Memorials of Merton College,’ and from articles on recent University reforms contributed by myself to various periodicals. If I have succeeded in bringing within a single view the successive phases of development through which the University has passed in the course of seven hundred years, and in paving the way for a more comprehensive and detailed history, the object of this little volume will have been attained.
George C. Brodrick.
CONTENTS.
| PAGE | |
| Preface | [v] |
| CHAPTER I. | |
| THE RISE OF THE UNIVERSITY. | |
| Mythical origin of the University—Early Schools of Oxford—Intellectualrevival of the twelfth century—Lectures ofVacarius, and first germs of the University—Connection ofOxford with the University of Paris—Recognition of thescholars by the Papal Legate after the riot of 1209—Officeof Chancellor—University chests, and sources of revenue inthe thirteenth century—Rise of Halls—Early Universitycharters | [1] |
| CHAPTER II. | |
| THE EARLY COLLEGES. | |
| Rise of Colleges—Foundation of University and Balliol—Foundationof Merton College—Merton College, Statutes of, 1274—Socialposition, manners, and academical life of earlystudents—‘Chamber-dekyns’—Street brawls and disorders—Superiorityof colleges in discipline and tuition | [15] |
| CHAPTER III. | |
| PROGRESS OF THE UNIVERSITY IN THE | |
| FOURTEENTH CENTURY. | |
| Europe in the fourteenth century—Social condition of the University—Intellectualvigour of the University—Foundationof Exeter, Oriel, Queen’s, and Canterbury Colleges—Foundationof New College—European influence of Oxford in thefourteenth century—Rise of Wyclif—Career of Wyclif—Feudbetween Northern and Southern ‘nations’—Earlysecessions to Cambridge and Northampton—Secession toStamford in 1333—Growth of the proctorial authority—Concessionby the Pope of freedom in the election of the Chancellor | [27] |
| CHAPTER IV. | |
| CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY AND THE CITY. | |
| Royal award of 1290—Riot of 1297 and agreement of 1298—Greatriot of 1354—Interdict and penance—New chartergranted by the King | [43] |
| CHAPTER V. | |
| THE MONKS AND FRIARS AT OXFORD. | |
| Benedictines and Augustinians—Rise of Mendicant Orders—Claustralschools—Migration from Paris and influence ofRobert Grostete—Position of the friars at Oxford, and Universitystatutes against them—Intervention of the Pope andthe King | [48] |
| CHAPTER VI. | |
| THE UNIVERSITY IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. | |
| Decline in numbers and studies—University delegates at theCouncils of Constance and Basle—Foundation of Lincolnand All Souls’ Colleges—Extension of University buildings;the Divinity School and the Bodleian Library—Finalorganisation of mediæval lectures and examinations—Universitycurriculum—Statute of 1431, regulating ‘inception’—Dutiesof regent masters—Residence for degrees in thehigher faculties | [55] |
| CHAPTER VII. | |
| THE RENAISSANCE, THE REFORMATION, AND | |
| THE TUDOR PERIOD. | |
| Revival of academical life at the end of the fifteenth century—Checkedby the Reformation—Pioneers of the new learningat Oxford—Erasmus, More, Colet, Grocyn, and Linacre—Foundationof Corpus Christi College by Bishop Fox—Greeksand Trojans—Cardinal Wolsey and the foundationof Christ Church—Action of the University on the questionsof the Divorce and the Royal Supremacy—Compliance ofthe University rewarded by royal favour—The first effectsof the Reformation injurious to the University—IconoclasticVisitation under Edward VI.—Leniency towards colleges—Reactionunder Mary. Martyrdom of Ridley, Latimer, andCranmer—Visitation and reforms of Cardinal Pole—Foundationof Trinity and St. John’s Colleges | [68] |
| CHAPTER VIII. | |
| REIGN OF ELIZABETH AND CHANCELLORSHIP | |
| OF LEICESTER. | |
| Visitation under Elizabeth and policy of Archbishop Parker—Chancellorshipof Leicester—Changes in the government ofthe University—Leicester’s administration of the University—Depressionof intellectual life in the University—Encouragementof study by Elizabeth, and foundation of theBodleian Library—Increasing refinement of academical life—QueenElizabeth’s two visits to Oxford—Pestilences anddisturbances in the sixteenth century | [87] |
| CHAPTER IX. | |
| THE UNIVERSITY UNDER JAMES I. | |
| The University patronised by James I.—James I.’s attitudetowards the University and the Church—Rise and influenceof Laud—Completion of the ‘Schools,’ and foundation ofWadham and Pembroke Colleges | [100] |
| CHAPTER X. | |
| THE UNIVERSITY UNDER CHARLES I. AND LAUD. | |
| Parliament at Oxford—Chancellorship of Laud—Compilation ofLaudian statutes—Main provisions of the Laudian statutes—Studiesand examinations under the Laudian statutes—Servicesof Laud to the University—Last five years ofLaud’s chancellorship—Eminent members of the Universityin the generation preceding the Civil Wars—University lifein the generation preceding the Civil Wars | [107] |
| CHAPTER XI. | |
| THE UNIVERSITY DURING THE CIVIL WARS AND THE | |
| SIEGE OF OXFORD. | |
| The University sides with the King and the Church—The Commonsissue an order for the University—Contributions forthe King’s service, and first occupation of Oxford by Parliamentarytroops—Oxford becomes the royal head-quarters—Aspectof the University during the Queen’s residence—Thelast two years of the civil war—Siege of Oxford, and proposalsof Fairfax guaranteeing University privileges—Surrenderof Oxford, and subsequent condition of the University | [122] |
| CHAPTER XII. | |
| THE PARLIAMENTARY VISITATION AND THE | |
| COMMONWEALTH. | |
| Measures preparatory to the Visitation—Appointment of theVisitors and the Standing Committee of Parliament—Earlyproceedings of the Visitors, and suppression of resistancefrom the University—Visitation of colleges. Submissionsand expulsions—Reception of Fairfax and Cromwell—SecondBoard of Visitors—Third Board of Visitors, and conclusionof the Visitation—State of the University on therecovery of its independence | [138] |
| CHAPTER XIII. | |
| THE PERIOD BETWEEN THE RESTORATION AND | |
| THE REVOLUTION. | |
| The Restoration and new Visitation of the University—Extensionof University buildings. Sheldonian Theatre—Growthof æsthetic tastes and social refinement—First visit ofCharles II.—Second visit of Charles II. Parliament assembledand dissolved at Oxford—Doctrine of passive resistanceadopted by the University. Expulsion of Locke—Conductof the University on the outbreak of Monmouth’srebellion. James II.’s treatment of Magdalen College | [151] |
| CHAPTER XIV. | |
| UNIVERSITY POLITICS BETWEEN THE REVOLUTION | |
| AND THE ACCESSION OF GEORGE III. | |
| Attitude of the University towards the Revolution. Visit ofWilliam III.—Origin of Oxford Jacobitism. Visit of QueenAnne—Popularity of Sacheverell. Position of the Whigminority—Jacobite demonstrations. A troop of horse sentto Oxford—The Constitution Club. Government scheme forreforming the University—Gradual decline of Jacobitismin Oxford during the reign of George II.—Revival of loyaltyafter the accession of George III.—His visits to Oxford | [162] |
| CHAPTER XV. | |
| UNIVERSITY STUDIES IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. | |
| Decay of University education in the eighteenth century—Contemporaryevidence—Decline in numbers and dearth ofeminence in science and literature—Counter-evidence showingthat education and learning were not wholly neglected | [174] |
| CHAPTER XVI. | |
| THE UNIVERSITY DURING THE REIGNS OF GEORGE III. | |
| AND GEORGE IV. | |
| Stagnation of University legislation in the eighteenth century—Statutesaffecting the University—Political sympathies ofthe University after the outbreak of the French Revolution—Accessionsto professoriate in the eighteenth century—Architecturalimprovements—Effects of the French warupon the University.—Opposition to reforms—Reception ofthe Allied Sovereigns.—Abolition of the Mayor’s Oath | [183] |
| CHAPTER XVII. | |
| OXFORD STUDIES AND EXAMINATIONS IN THE | |
| NINETEENTH CENTURY. | |
| Examination statute of 1800, and later amendments—Examinationstatute of 1850, and later amendments—UniversityCommission of 1850—Act of 1854 and new College Ordinances—Effectof these reforms—Abolition of Universitytests—Local examinations, and board for examination ofpublic schools—Commission of inquiry (1872) and Act of1876—Commission of 1877—Character of last reforms | [191] |
| CHAPTER XVIII. | |
| THE NEO-CATHOLIC REVIVAL, KNOWN AS THE ‘OXFORD | |
| MOVEMENT.’ | |
| Character of the ‘Oxford Movement’—A reaction against therising tide of Liberalism—Oriel the centre of the Movement—JohnHenry Newman—Origin of ‘Tracts for the Times’—Associationformed—Newman assumes the lead—Spreadand objects of the movement.—Publication of Tract XC.—Collapseof Tractarianism, and secession of Newman—The‘Hampden Controversy’—Proceedings against Pusey andWard—Effect of the ‘Oxford Movement’—Controversy onthe endowment of the Greek Professorship.—Defeat of Mr.Gladstone in 1865 | [204] |
| CHAPTER XIX. | |
| THE UNIVERSITY IN 1886. | |
| Reign of Queen Victoria—State of the University on theQueen’s accession—Influence of recent changes—Presentcharacter of the University | [217] |
| INDEX | [223] |
THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD.
CHAPTER I.
THE RISE OF THE UNIVERSITY.
Mythical origin of the University
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 so conscientious an historian as Anthony Wood. It is now admitted that nothing is certainly known of its origin, and that its alleged foundation by Alfred the Great rests upon a tradition which cannot be traced back to a period beyond the fourteenth century. There is no evidence whatever to show that any germ of a University, much less that any college, existed at Oxford in the reign of Alfred, who was born in the neighbouring town of Wantage. The very contrary may reasonably be inferred from the negative fact that Asser, in his contemporary biography of Alfred, makes no allusion to his supposed institution of ‘schools’ at Oxford, though he amply attests his paternal zeal for English education. The early chroniclers are, without exception, equally silent on the subject, which is noticed by no extant writer before the age of Edward III. In the next reign, the primary myth—for so we must regard it—was developed into a secondary myth, attributing to Alfred the foundation of University College, and this imaginary pretension was actually advanced by that college in the course of a lawsuit. Meanwhile, the simpler tradition of Alfred’s connection with the University Schools was repeated by author after author in days when the very nature of historical proof was unknown, and was reinforced in the sixteenth century by the insertion of a spurious passage into the work of Asser. It has been reserved for the present century to recognise the plain truth that we are entirely ignorant of the first stage in the growth of the University, and that its name is never mentioned in history before the Norman Conquest.