Walking the streets of Oxford, surrounded by medieval buildings and a deep sense of its lengthy past, one cannot ignore this city’s beautiful history. To help you feel more connected to this city we call home for much of the year, we thought that we would point you to some key historical dates in Oxford’s development as a city, from the tenth to nineteenth centuries.
911 AD – The first official record of Oxford
This was the date that Oxford was first recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a famous collection of Old English annals which was first created in the ninth century. The Chronicle records that Oxford was established as a “burh” (fortified town) by Edward the Elder; the name “Oxford” means “ford of oxen” and indicated the town’s origins as a river crossing point on the Thames.
1167 – Origins of the University of Oxford
As a result of King Henry II forbidding English students from attending the University of Paris, scholars studying abroad returned to England and gathered in Oxford. There is debate about when the university really ‘began’, but historians agree that Henry II’s actions led to a significant increase in the number of Oxford University students and the significance of the town.
1214 – Oxford receives its first charter
King John granted Oxford its first charter; this meant that the town was given rights of self-government, so it could host its own markets and execute justice independently. This was indicative of Oxford’s growth in importance, besides solely the university.
1355 – St. Scholastica Day Riot
On the 10th of February 1355, a fight in an Oxford tavern between townspeople (“town”) and university students (“gown”) developed into violence and rioting which lasted for days. In total, almost 100 people were killed, and the divide between town and gown was deepened as gown triumphed in the fighting and was granted privileges as a result. Thankfully, this rift today is most clearly seen in the 10km “town and gown” fun run every year rather than in violent rioting!
1642-1646 – Royalist stronghold during the English Civil War
Oxford was made King Charles I’s base during the English Civil War after he fled from parliamentary forces in London.The town was essentially turned into the Royalist capital during the war, as the King even held court at colleges such as Christ Church. Ultimately, Oxford would surrender to parliamentary forces in 1646 after multiple sieges during the war.
1860 – Oxford University Museum of Natural History opens
By the nineteenth century, Oxford was a hub for all sorts of academic debate, including those relating to the sciences. The Museum of Natural History, with its incredible Gothic Revival architectural style, opened its doors for the first time in 1860 and would host famous discussions such as the debate between biologist Thomas Henry Huxley and Bishop Samuel Wilberforce on Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution in 1860.
Oxford has, since its beginning as a town, been a vibrant centre of cultural and intellectual life in England. We cannot wait to welcome you to continue this legacy through your own debates and discussions in November.