Treatise of Religion and Learning, Book 2 · Chapter 13
CHAP. XIII. Of the Vniversities of England.
BRittain (which comprehends England and Scotland) is the greatest Isleland of Europe; it was in times past called Albion, say some, ab albis montibus primùm ad eam navigantibus apparentibus. See Bish. Vsher De Britan. Eccles. primord.
Some of the chief things for which England is famous, are comprehended in this verse, Mons, & Fons, & Pons, Ecclesia, Faemina, Lana.
England is termed by some, the Paradise of women, the Purgatory of servants, the Hell of horses.
England hath been famous for Learned men,Ante hac gratulatus sum Angliae tuae, quae tot habaret viros egregia probitate, parique doctrina praeditos: nunc propemodum invidere incipio, quae sic efflorescat omni genere studiorum, ut omnibus regionibus laudem praeripiat, ac pene tenebras offundat. Quanquam ista laus haud ita nova est vestrae insulae, in qua constat & olim eximios viros extitisse. Declarant id vel Academiae vestrae quae vetustate nobilitateque eum verustissimis & celeberrimis certant. Eras. l. 6. Epist. Gulielmo Montioco. and for her Seminaries of Learning, as well as other things.
Renowned Scholars amongst us.
Alcuinus one of the Founder of the University of Paris, Beda styled Venerabilis, Anselm and Bradwardine Archbishops of Canterbury, Alexander of Hales Tutor to Thomas Aquinas, and Bonaventure, John Wiclef.
Since the times of the Reformation, John Jewell Bishop of Salisbury, Dr John Reynolds and Mr Richard Hooker, Dr Whitaker, Bishop Bilson and Andrews, both Bishops of Winchester, Bishop Mountague of Norwich, Dr John Whitgift.
Papists, Dr Harding, Nicholas Sanders, and Dr Thomas Stapleton, Campian and Parsons, and William Rainolds.
For other studies, Lindwood the Canonist, Cosins and Cowell eminent in the study of the Civil Laws, Bracton and Briton of old times, Dier and Cooke of late daies expert in the Laws of England. Johannes de Sacro Bosco the Author of the book of the Sphere, Roger Bacon, a famous Mathematician, Sir Francis Bacon an excellent Philosopher, Sir Thomas More Lord Chancellor, a witty and Learned man, Sir Henry Savill a great Grecian, Sir Henry Spelman a Learned Antiquary, Camden the Pausanias of the British Islands, Sir Thomas Bodlie, Sir Isaac Wake, Mr Selden, Matthew Paris, Matthew of Westminster, Roger Hoveden, Henry of Huntingdon, William of Malmesbury and Thomas of Walsingham, all known Historians.
For Poetry, Gower, Chancer, Spencer, Sir Philip Sidnie, Daniel and Draiton, Beaumont and Fletcher, Ben Johnson.
As the messenger of Pyrrhus long since called Italy a Country of Kings, and Egypt was wont to be called the Country of Physitians; so may this blessed Island of ours justly merit the title of The Region of Divines. D r Hals Preface to the married Clergy.For practicall Divinity we exceed all the Reformed Churches
Stupor mundi Clerus Britannicus: whence many outlandish men have learned English, that they might reade those Books of our Divines which were printed in our Language.
Joseph Scaliger *Anglorum vero etiam doctissimi tam prave Latina efferunt, ut in hac urbe, quum quidam ex ea gente per quadrantem horae integrum apud me verba fecisset, neque ego magis eum intelligerem, quam si Turcice loquutus fuisset, ego hominem rogaverim excusatum me habere, quod Anglice non bene intelligerem. Ille, qui eum ad me deduxerat tantum cachinnum sustulit, ut mea non minus interfuerit pudere quam ipsius ridere. Scalig. Epist. l. 4. Epist. 362. Stephano Uberto. Cum essem in Italia graves viros gravi…er & cum decoro pronunciantes audiebam. Cum in Britanniam veneram, novos viros, novo quodam pronuntiationis genere omnia personare ostendebam. Hic itaque sic cogitabam apud me, cum nec Romae, nec in universa Italia, imo verò cum neque in Germania, Gallia, neque Belgia, nec alibi gentium, quàm in nostra Britannia ullum unquam verbum de pronunciatione illa nova, ullavè mentio aut significatio tum fuit, novam pronunciationem alibi in usu non fuisse quàm in Britannia certò scire licet. Nequè ea tamen universa, sed certo quodam loco, in quo per ea tempora Oratores novi imperaban…. Sic tamen haec refero, ut eos propter literas aliasque virtutes vehementer amem & suspiciam propter haec vero laudem minime. Caii De pronunciatione Graecae & Latinae Linguae cum scriptione nova libellus.findes fault with our English men for speaking Latine.
Some think they pronounce the a too little, and the i too big and broad.
Caius in his Book De pronuntiatione Graecae & Latinae linguae, saith, that he learned by experience that variety of pronuncing did hinder mutuall commerce, mens society and understanding of things. He saith, that a Greek Patriarck being at London in the Reign of Edward the 6th, did not understand Sir Thomas Cheeke, nor Sir Thomas him, the Knight using the new kinde of pronouncing, the other the old: he addes, pleading for the old and barbarous pronunciation, Quo omnes Graci ad huc utebantur cum ego essem Venetiis, tum è Cathedra Graecas literas profitendo, tum in templis sacra celebrando. Audiebam enim data opera saepius. At si ego tacerem norit Oxonionsis schola, quemadmodum ipsa Graecia pronunciarit, ex Matthaeo Calphurnio Graeco, quem ex Graecia Oxonium Graecarum literarum gratia produxerat Thomas Wolsaeus, de bonis literis optimè meritus Cardinalis, cum non alia ratione pronunciarit ille, quàm qua nos jam profitemur. Id si ita sit, nos Britanni docebimus ipsos Graecos in ipsa Graecia oriundos sua verba sonare? suas voces atquè literas pronuntiare? & plus in aliena lingua sapiens quàm ipsa gens atquè natio, cui lingua Graeca familiaris atque etiam vulgaris est, & successione temporum continuata, tanquam per manus esse tradita? Nam privata haec pronunciatio paucorum hominum in Britania est, & eorum juvenum, alibi minimè recepta gentium.
Westminster having but 40 Scholers, sends as many yearly to both the Vniversities, as Eaton and Winchester both, though they have each of them 70 Scholers. Hactenus de Collegiis & Aulis, quae eleganti structurâ opimis redditibus, & instructis Bibliothecis ita florent, ut reliquas orbis Christiani Academias superent omnes. Hentzueri Itinerarium Germaniae, Angliae, Galliae, Italiae. Cum in utraque Angliae Academia ante multos annos viverem in sociorum (Collegiorum) numero multos viros doctissimos me invenisse memini, qui cum quibusvis contendere possent. Constant. L' Emper. Not. In Benjaminem.There are in England many triviall Schooles in Towns and Cities: Amongst which the most famous are,
That of Eaton and Westminster, founded by Henry the 6th, Edward the 4th, and Q. Elizabeth, and of Winchester, Schola certè Augusta, ante 200 ampliùs annos erecta, ut adolescentes suavioribus disciplinis imbuti, ad artes Academicas meliori genio animum intendant. Europaei orbis Academiae.
There are also in London that of Pauls, and Merchant Taylors.
The two Universities of England may equall many beyond Sea.
Vbi tot Academiae quot Collegia, Scultetus de curriculo vitae. Magnae in Collegiis Angliae opes & vectigalia: verbo vobis dicam? unum Oxoniense Collegiam (rem inquisibi) superat vel decem nostra. Lipsi Lovanium l. 3. c. 5.
Most of their Universities (Paris excepted) being no better then our Colledges of Westminster, Eaton or Winchester.
Oxford (without controversie) is the more healthfull place, and better situated, and the Town and streets (I suppose) larger.
Non immerito apud antiquos Oxonis Bellositum audiit, quasi musae conspirassent, hic tantùm domicilia sibi statuere, ubi & amaenitas, & salubritas suas sibi sedes potissimas praeelegissent. Wake Mus. Regn.Both Universities are governed by a Vicechancellour and Proctors.
The Heads of the Colledges in Oxford have severall Titles, as President, Master, Warden, Provost, Dean, Principall; but in Cambridge they are all styled Masters, except in Kings Colledge, the Head of that House is called the Provost.
The time of Doctors and Masters proceeding yearly or taking their compleat degree, is called Commencement *A French word which signifieth beginning, rather because they Commence or begin in those degrees, then because it begins before Oxford Act.in Cambridge, Act in Oxford, for though they be designed before to their degrees, yet they obtain them not actually and compleatly but in Comitiis.
Oxford Act concludes with a Latine Sermon, so doth not Cambridge.
In our Universities Schollars live in their Colledges, not in the Town,Studiofi vitam fere monasticam degunt, sicut enim in Monasteriis olim Monachi, nullis aliis rebus, erant intenti & occupati, quam ut statis horis, precibus ad Deum fusis, reliquum tempus bonis artibus, & studiis honestis impenderent, ita & hos facere oportet. Hentzueri Itinerarium Germaniae, Angliae, Galliae, Italiae. as some where beyound Sea. Hentzuerus saith, Vestitus cum Jesuitarum fermè congruit; etenim togis sunt induti longis ad talos usque demissis.
By the Councell of Vienna *Clementinarum Quinto Antiquae illae quatuor nominantur Academiae, Luteria, Oxonium, Bononia, Salaman…ica: & Lutetia dicta prior est: at homini Gallo, in Concilio Galliae. At posterior est Oxonio si haec nostra est Luretiae mater: & Alcuinus noster, Caroli autem magni Praeceptor, ipse fuit auctor, ut Parisiensis Schola inciperet, & initium haberet: ubi antea nulla erat quod ipsi sic scribunt & confirentur Galli Alber. Gentilis laudes Acad. Paris. Oxon. Verè antiquissima omnium est Academia nostra, In quatuor nobilissimis & celeberrimis ipsa est prima. Id. ibid. Academia antiquissima, & in quatuor nobilissimis, quae sunt Oxonium, Lutetia, Bononia, Salamanca, prima; populosissima, & frequentissima: quae jam Edvardo primo regnante triginta millia Studiosorum censuit. Lansii Orat. pro Britannia. Haec est illa Academia fama celebri nortisimà, & longissimè apud exteras gentes divulgata, ubi prudens ille, solers, & sagax de Hispaniis Legatus Toleranus, cum dies plures disputationibus Gymnasticis, noctes verò serotinas spectaculis Comicis & Tragicis inte… fuisset libenter, probasset sapienter, laudasset graviter haec verba publice palam, & aperte profitebatur, Regiones plures perlustravi, multa vidi, sed haec sunt admiranda, & sic referam ubi in Patriam venero. Academ. quae aliquando fuerunt & hodie sunt in Europa, Catalogu….Oxford was reckoned not only among one of the four ancient Universities, but had the second place, Paris, Oxford, Bononia, Salamanca, and, as some think, it may justly challenge the first place, though Coringius in his first Dissertat. Antiq. Academ. and some others think it was a while after Paris.
Ingulphus (who was Secretary to William the Conquerour) saith he lived in Studio Oxoniensi. His words are these,Historia Ingulphi. Ego Ingulphus humilis magister S. Guthlaci Monasteriique sui Croilandensis, natus in Anglia, & à parentibus Anglicis, quippe urbis pulcherrimae Londoniarum pro literis addiscendis in teneriori aetate constitutus, primum Westmonasterio, post modum Oxoniensi studio traditus etiam.
Those Schools of Learning which we call Academies or Universities, that Age termed Studia; that is, Studies. St Hierom termed the Schools of Gaul, Studia florentissima. The name of University was taken up about the time of King Henry the 3d, for a publick School.
There are but three Latine Writers (which I have met with) who …ve written generally de Academiis, Junius, and Middendorpe, and another intituled, Academiarum quae aliquando Fuere & Hodie sunt in Europa, Catalogus & enumeratio brevis.
At the end of Junius his excellent Treatise de Academiis, Academia ad Isidis vadum quae nunc nobis corruptè Oxford pro Ouseford dicitur, Alfridi benevolentia, & pietate instituta. Lelandi Comment. in Cygneam cantionem. Alphredus magnus Scholas liberalium artium publicas Neoti piis monitis Oxonii primus, ut praefertur, posuit, ut omnibus adventantibus essent Communes. Balaeus de Script. Brit. Cent. 2. Academia Oxoniensis statim à principio, tum divinarum humanarumque literarum studiis, tum mira hominum doctrinis incumbentium frequentia multo Celeberrima esse caepit, deinceps usque eò floruit, ut jam facile cum quovis alio totius orbis gymnasio de nominis gloria certare possit. Polyd Verg. Angl. hist. lib. 5. Ut enim de Anglia dicam prius, unde nobis prima literaturae rudimenta redierunt, ab Alphredo Rege Scholam publicam Oxoniae esse institutam anno Christiano septuagesimo tertio vel potius nonagesimo quinto, Ex Oxoniensium monumentis haud pauci hodie narrant. Coring. de Antiq. Acad. Dissertat. 3.there is added a brief Catalogue of all the Universities in the Christian world, in which their Country, Names, Originall and situation are described out of Ptolomy.
He begins with England, and therein with Oxford, and saith of it, Academia Oxoniensis vulgò Oxford, quam instituit Aluredus, Saxonum Rex, Anno Christi 872. Posteà vero ex multorum Principum & Praesulum beneficentia, amplissimis structuris, reditibus & privilegiis ornatur: hab…tque jam Collegia XVI, aulas etiam VIII, singula aedificiorum splendore magnificentissima, ac bonarum literarum artiumque omnium studia florentissima. Cantabrigiensis, vulgò Cambridge, in qua primum Collegium instituit Batsomus, Eliensis Episcopus, Anno 1274. Habet jam Collegia XI, Aulas etiam IV, eaque omnia aedificiorum celebritate praestantissima. Habuit etiam ante Scholam publicam perangustam (in qua Philosophia, humanio oresque disciplinae tradebantur) à Sigeberto, Estanglorum Rege constitutam, Anno 637.
Yet it is the opinion of some, that the University of Oxford was rather restored then first Founded by King Alured, Anno 806. after it had been over-born a while by Danish furies.
Middendorp in his 3d Book de Academiis, where he speaks of the Universities of England, saith, Inter harum duarum Academiarum professores gravis & acerba nuper controversia exorta est, dum singuli suam Academiam & antiquiorem prioremque tempore, & praestantiorem existere asseverant, & varias pro sua quisque sententia rationes, diversaque argumenta producit, ut difficile sit homini externo, terra ab iis marique disjuncto, suum judicium interponere. But after counsell given to them, to endeavour rather to excell each the other in diligence,Quid profuerit si haec illa antiquior fuerit Academia, modo haec illi virtute par sit. Puerorum est de locorum praestantia & dignitate contendere, & inanium verborum contentione & dissidio animos vulnerare. Caius de Antiquit. Cantab. Acad. l. 1. Dr Arrowsmiths modesty and ingenuity I approve of, who in a speech at Cambridge-Commencement the last save two, had this passage, Cantabrigia, Oxonium. Oxonium, Cantabrigia. faithfulness and wisdom, and not to stand so much upon antiquity, and multitude, or excellency of Colledges, which belong more to the glory of the dead then the living, he concludes at the last thus,
Porrò utramque hanc Academiam, veterem quidem atque florentem reperio, Cantabrigiensis tamen, quantum hactenus deprehendere licuit, tempore prior & antiquior est. Ideoque ab ea principium ducam.
But Learned Sir Isaac Wake in his Rex Platonicus p. 217. saith thus,
Haec ipsa Antiquitatis lis, publico jam nuper totius Regni conventu Parliamentario, ex antiquissimorum Historicorum fide examinata est & determinata, & praecedentia Oxoniensi Vniversitati communi applausu omniumque suffragiis asserta.
There he also addeth, p. 218.
Johannes Caius, vir fidei ut in rebus Religiosis, ita in Historicis nullius plane.
He proceeds,
Imò qui inter ipses istius Scholae antiquitatem acerrimè tuentur, non asserunt tantùm, sed & probant indubitatis argumentis Cantabrigiam, Generalem Artium & scientiarum Academiam factam & stabilitam non fuisse, ante vicesimum annum Edwardi tertii (hoc est nudiustertius ferè, si Aluredi seculum spectemus) quo Rege intercedente, apud Johannem Pontificem Romanum, Universitatis ibi stabiliendae privilegium iis est concessum ut Petrus de Ickham Monachus Ecclesiae Cantuar. scribit.
Caius M…ddendorpii testimonio rem probat: Caii testimonio eandem probat Middendorpius: sic manus manum, & falsarius falsarium fricat. Quin potiùs suam oportet agnoscere ignorantiam, qui de exterorum rebus scribit, quorum res gestas nunquam legerit. Imò Middendorpi (tibi clam in aurem dico) agnosce impudentiam tuam, qui ita confidenter scribis de Academiis, ac si in omnibus aetatem totam vixisses, ita tamen frigidè, futiliter, indoctè, ac si in nulla unquam vel diem unum posuisses. Wake ibid.
The third who writes of all the Academies of Europe saith,
Ac libens optarim ne digladientur nimis & naenias mittant, qui hanc aut illam Acad…mia… contendunt esse antiquioram. Sint Arcades ambae, utraeque florentes, lucem sole clariorem sibi invicem alternantes.
There is a Manuscript of Robert Burhils in Oxford Library, De Britanniae rebus Scholasticis in verse, consisting of ten Books. The sixth book is termed Elfreda, de urbe Oxonia quam Elfreda insedem Academiae deligendam suader. The seventh book is styled Parallelismus de Antiquitate utriusque Academiae Oxon. & Cantab. wherein he asserte the antiquity of Oxford, but saith, Non est quod Cantabrigiensis Academia hanc suam originem etsi seriorem erubesceret. Primo, cum nec operae pretium sit contendere. Secundo, nec leves interim calamitates dum nondum exorta esset Cantabrigia, Academiam Oxoniensem nostram exceperint. Tertio, & antiquiora ferè incultiora, Academiis vix tandem Monastica fece expurgatis.And after he hath this passage of Cambridge: Haec est illa Academia antiqua, & celebris, quae non modò Oxoniensi florentissimo Anglorum Gymnasio, sed & aliis Europaei orbis Academiis antiquioribus facilè posset adaequari.
He speaks also very honourably of Oxford, and I have cited something out of him to that purpose.
Sir Thomas More saith in an Epistle to the University of Oxford, Cantabrigiae, cui vos praelucere semper consuevistis.Epistola Thomae Mori ad Acad. Oxon.
I know one, who is a very competent judge, because a most Learned Bishop, and well versed in antiquities, and also of an University in another Kingdom, who holds Oxford to be the ancienter.
Oxford also hath been famous for Learned Scholars.
Mathematicians and Schoolmen, for the later there is no question,Trithemius, Baleus, Lelandus Oxonienses ultra trecentos Cantabrigienses non plures uno supra centum & viginti scriptores in suis Catalogis commemorant. Brianus Twinus Antiq. Acad. Oxon. and I shall mention divers of them when I speak of Merton Colledge.
For the first Roger Bacon, Bradwardine, Simon Bredon and Oddington were famous.
The first Professor *Vide Gervas. Dorobernens.in Civil Law in England, viz. Vacarius, was of Oxford.
Oxford lies in a Champion plain: It is a fair and goodly City, whether a man respect the seemly beauty of private houses, or the stately magnificence of publick buildings, together with the wholesom sight or pleasant prospect thereof.
It is formed in the figure of a Cross, two long streets thwarting one another, each of them near a mile in length, containing in that compass thirteen Parish Churches, and a See Episcopall founded here by King Henry the 8th, Anno 1541.
For the Stateliness of the Schools and publick Library and *There are many Pictures throughout the great Gallery adjoyning to the Library, of Learned men in severall Faculties. The Statutes of the University of Oxford at large are much commended. The select Statutes out of the body of them are printed and to be sold.Gallery, the bravery and beauty of particular Colledges, all built of fair and polished stone, the liberall endowment of those houses, and great incouragements of Industry and Learning in the salary of the Professors in most Arts and Sciences, it is (say some) not to be paralleled in the Christian world.
Dr James hath set out two Catalogues of the publick Library in Oxford:
One published in the year 1605. which mentions the Books Alphabetically distinguished, according to the four Faculties.Clarissimus vir Thomas Bodleius qui vetustate, & temporum an hominum injuria Collapsam Universitatis Bibliothecam immensis sumptibus, conquisitis undine praeter omnes omnium generum codices excusos, manuscriptis, quantum in hoc spicilegio licuit, compluribus vetustis optimae notae, instauravit. Savil. Not. in Chrysost. in Gen. Tom. 8.
The other 1620. in which there is only a care had of the Alphabeticall order, by this more exact Catalogue one may readily finde any Authour, and all the Works of that Authour uno intuitu.
If the Library be inferiour to the Popes Vaticane in sumptuous building, yet in Printed Books, if not in Manuscripts (there being many choice ones given by Sir Thomas Bodlie, and of late by my Lord of Pembroke, and Archbishop Laude, in almost all Languages) it may well contend with it for a Superiority.
Reckon the number of Volumes in the publick Library,He mentions sixteen thousand in his Preface to his last Catalogue. whereof the greatest part are in Folio, which amount to 11 or 12 thousands of divers Authours, the plurality of Languages, the diversity of Sciences, wherein these Books are written, the condition of the Books whether written or printed, by Protestants or Papists, or any other, the use for six hours every day throughout the whole year, (Sundaies and Holydaies excepted) and we shall finde that the like Library is no where to be found. Dr James of the Corrupt. of Script. Counc. and Fath. part 5.
In Oxford there are 18 Colledges endowed with Lands, besides 7 Halls, where Students live at their own charges in both of them.
Professors of the Arts and Sciences, as also of Divinity, Law, Physick, and the learned Languages, with Liberall Salaries.
Vniversity Colledge, Founded 872.
Alfred or Allured King of the West Saxons, being addicted to Religion and good literature, for the increase and study of Divinity, Philosophy and other Arts, in the 2d year of his reign founded this Colledge, by the name of Vniversity Colledge.
George Abbat Archbishop of Canterbury was of this Colledge.
Baliol Colledge, Founded 1262.
John Baliol, born at Bernads Castle in the Bishoprick of Durham, (a worthy Warriour to King Henry the 3d in his civil Warres against his Barons) with his wife Dervorgilla, Collegium Baliolense gloriatur potiùs quòd Humfredum ducem Glocestriae, Henrici quarti filium virtutum merito Bonum cognominatum Academiae nostrae lucidum atque patriae Sydus, nomen que nunquam oblinescendum educarit quàm quòd Cranmerum Archiepiscopum, Ridlaeum, Latimerum Episcopos, suis prae foribus (ut Elium) igneis vehiculis coelum petentes conspexerit. Wake Rex Platon.a Lady of Honourable Parentage, Parents of John Baliol King of the Scots, Founded this Colledge, giving thereunto both Lands and Revenews, for the maintenance of a Master, 10 Fellows, and 11 Scholars, which is Recorded to be the first and most anciently endowed Colledge in this University, as some late Historians constantly affirm.
Jam Fundatoris imprimis Balioli Regis Scotiae nomen jactat, quasi tum olim Scotia suos Reges Academiae nostrae propitios in Baliolo suo sposponderit, quod in Jacobo nostro jam faeliciter appropinquante praestitit. Wake Rex Plat.
John Wiclefe was of this House.
Wiclefus ille Restaurator Religionis cui non notus Baliolensis. Alber. Gent. Laud. Acad. Perusin. & Oxon.
Merton Colledge Founded 1274.
Walter de Merton sometimes L. Chancellour of England, Counsellour to King Henry the 3d,Camden in Oxfordshire saith that Balioll Colledge and this were the first endowed Colledges for Students in Christendom. Ex hoc Collegio principes in omni literarum genere viri, tanquam ex equo Trojano, ad veritatis defensionem, atque ad Babylonici Imperii incendium & ruinas per diversa secula prodierunt. Hinc Johannes Wicleuus, hinc Gulielmus Occham, hinc Thomas Bradwarden. Praefat. Episc, Carlet. ad consensum Eccles. Cathol. contra Trident. Vide plura ibid. and Edward the first Bishop of Rochester, Founded this Colledge by the name of Merton Colledge, endowing it in effect with all the Lands and Revenews which at this present are belonging thereunto, ordaining in the same a Warden, and no definitive number of Fellows.
It may be styled Collegium Scholasticorum, Bacon, Burlie, Occham, Scotus, Bradwardine, Gatisdene, Dumbleton, Nicholas Gorrham, Suitzaens, great lights of Europe were of this Colledge.
What one Colledge ever yielded at one time and from one Country, three such Divines as Jewell, Raynolds, and Hooker; or two such great Wits and Heroicall spirits, as Sr Thomas Bodley, and Sr Henry Savill, Dr Hackw. Epist. Dedicat. to Oxford before his Apology.
Of this Colledge also were Bishop Carleton, Sr Isaac Wake the University Orator.
Excester Colledge, Founded 1316.
Walter Stapleton, being descended of Noble Parentage (for his Wisdom, Gravity and Learning, was often employed in Embassages from King Edward the 2d, who made him Bishop of Excester, Lord Treasurer of England, and one of his Privy Councell) Founded this Colledge, it was much augmented by Sir William Peter.
Dr Hakewell Fellow of this House, erected and finished the new Chappell.
Dr Prideaux was Head of this House.
Hollandus alter Apollo, potens in Scripturis, cum patribus adeo familiaris ac si ipse Pater, cum Scholasticis ac si seraphicus Doctor. Conc. Funeb.Dr Holland was of this House.
Orial Colledge, Founded 1337.There are many guesses at the original of its name.
King Edward the 2d erected it, it was so called because it was indeed a work which might beseem a King.
Queens Colledge, Founded 1340.
Robert Eglesfield Batchelor of Divinity, Chaplain to Queen Philippa, wife to King Edward the 3d,Collegium Reginae nobilitatur duorum Principum, omnium, quos Anglia vidit, fortissimorum educatione; videlicet Edwardi Principis cognomento Nigri & Henrici Quinti felicissimi Regis. Wake Rex Platon. Quod Collegium si visant extranei & conspiciantur à studiosis inhabitantibus, in cornu bubulo praegrandi de Cerenisia sua ipsis propinant. Laudem meretur officiosa haec humanitas. Jodoc. Sinc. Itinerar. Galliae. founded this Colledge in his own ground by the name of Queens Colledge (commending the Patronage thereof to his Lady the Queen, and to the Queens of England successively) which he endowed with Lands and Revenews.
They are called to Dinner and Supper by the sound of a Trumpet.
Doctor Ayrie (who wrote so well upon the Philippians) was Provost of this Colledge.
Learned D. Langbane is now the Provost of it, and worthy M. Barlow the Publick-Library-Keeper, a Fellow of it.
New Colledge, Founded 1375.
William Wickam principal Secretary to King Edward the 3d, Keeper of the Privy-Seal, Bishop of Winchester, Lord High-Treasurer,Collegium Beatae Mariae, quod vulgò novum (etsi revera per antiquum) dicitur. Wake. Rex Platon. Hoc ipso item anno (viz. 1366.) Gulielmus Unyckam Vintoniensis Episcopus Oxonii in rei litterariae gratiam Collegium excitavit, illudque D. Mariae Virgini dicavit, quod hodie novum Collegium nuncupatur. Georg. Lilii Anglorum Reg. Chronicon. and Chancellour of England, founded this Colledge. He also founded a Colledge at Winchester, wherein he established one Warden, ten Fellows, two Schoolmasters and seventy Scholars, with Officers and servants, which all are maintained at his charge; out of which School he ordained should be chosen the best Scholars alwayes to supply the vacant places of the Fellows of this Colledge.
Thomas Chaundlerus librum de Wiccami vita & rebus gestis sane perelegantem conscripsit Waynfleti foreign.
Wickamus celebratur ab erudito Jurisconsulto Martino.
Of this Colledge was Philpot the famous Martyr, and Sr Thomas Rives, Bishop Lake, Dr Twisse and Dr James.
Lincoln Colledge, Founded 1420.
Richard Fleming Bishop of Lincoln in the eighth year of the reign of King Henry the 5th founded this Colledge by the name of Lincoln Colledge, which was afterward in Richard the thirds time, in the year of our Lord 1479. by Thomas Rotheram Bishop of the same Sea, and Secretary to four Kings, much augmented and increased.
Dr Kilbie a learned Hebrician was Head of this Colledge, and that learned School-Divine Dr Sanderson was Fellow of this House.
All-Souls Colledge, 1437.
Henry Chichley Archbishop of Canterbury, Linacer was Fellow of this Colledge, and Sir Thomas More his Scholar. Si politam operis elegantiam requiramus, est propter structuram Collegium omnium Animarum ex lapide quadrato & perpolito in prima orbis facie multùm spectabile. Eurpoaei orbis Academiae.layed in Oxford the foundation of two goodly Colledges, this and that of St Johns Colledge, the last being reedified by St Thomas White Lord Maior of London.
There is Vita Henrici Chichele Descripta ab Arthuro Duck.
Magdalen Colledge, Founded 1459.
William Wainflet Bishop of Winchester founded first Magdalen-Hall, after that this Colledge dedicating the same to the honour of S. Mary Magdalen. Itaque longè magnificentius hospitium excipiendis Musis conditurus (regia quippe benignitate adjutus) Aulam Magdalenae quamvis patentem Collegii dereliquit, domumque consanguine…m ne omnino periisse videretur, in suum quasi corpus iterum transtulit. In ipso Oxonii suburbano, Eurum versus Collegium vergit: à quâ regione amne perspicuo praeter fluentè alluitur, qui Cherwellus dicitur, latus septentrionale arboreto clauditur. Utrinque multae ambulalacrorum amaenitates, & in utro que elemento quasi delicias excogitante natura. Surgit è quadrato latere, visendum ipsâ vel materia, vel subtili junctura aedificium, duplici pinnarum ordine adversus paries decoratur. Frontem Collegii occupat excelsa turris, quae erudito statuarij opere incisa, intuentium oculos mirê ad se trahit, aream interiorem cingunt claustra (sic hodiè appellamus) cocto latere per strata, quae topiarii vel porticus usum non incommodè praestant. Vivis animalium figuris tibicines, occultum nescio quid & hieroglyphicum significantibus exornantur: Antiquissimorum codicum supellectile instruitur bibliotheca. Templum Augustum & divini numinis religione verè suspiciendum: aula elegans & spatiosa Waynfleti foreign per Johan Bud. Cum primis virtutis doctrinae que ergò nominandus Thomas Chalonerus Eques Auratus, Principi in disciplinarum omniumque virtutum regiarum instiiutione honorarius praefectus quo viro merito gloriatur Collegium Magdalenense, ut etiam in numeris aliis, quos intra lustra annorum non multa in Rempublicam Ecclesiamque transmisit alumnis, Archiepiscopis scilicet duobus, iisdemque Cardinalibus, Episcopis viginti duobus, Foxo Martyrologo, Laurentio Humfredo, aliis que . Wake Rex Platon.He builded also a great part of Eaton Colledge, before begun by King Henry the sixt.
Prince Henry was of this Colledge. Claimund and Doctor Bond were Presidents of it.
Brazen-Nose Colledge, Founded 1515.
Aenei nasi Collegium spectatu dignum, cujus prae foribus nominis antiquitatisque index, Nasus monstrose prominet abeneus. Wake Rex Platon. Per id quoque tempus Gulielmus Smith Episcopus Lincolniensis Margaritae exemplo ductus, Oxonii Scholasticorum Collegium collocavit in aula quam vulgo vocant Brasyn. Nose, hoc est, aeneum nasum, quod eò loci imago aenea facie admodum immani prae foribus extet. Item Richardus Vintoniensis Episcopus tale ejusmodi opus Oxonii fecit, appellavitque Corporis Christi Collegium. Polyd. Verg. Angl. Nist. l. …6.William Smith Bishop of Lincoln, during the reign of King Henry the 7th laid the foundation of this Colledge. After whose death Richard Sutton Esquire, took upon him to perfect the same, which he accomplished.
Alexander Nowel was of this house, Mr Bolton, and I think Mr John Ball.
Corpus Christi Colledge, Founded 1516.
Praefuit hic primus doctissimus ille Claymondus, qui exquisitissima in Plinium Commentaria conscripsit. Successit deinde Robertus Morwentus Theologus Praeses tantae gravitatis, ut quum 40. ampliùs annos Praesidentis loco surrogatus, & ipse optimè praefuisset, Oxoniensibus in Concione publica Pater patriae literatae Oxoniensis appellatus est, quum in extremis naturae laboraret. Praelegit illic in Rhetoricis in celeberrima audientium corona praesentibus illustrissimis Principibus, Henrico octavo Rege, & Catharina conjuge, Ludovicus Vives, omnis politioris literaturae scientissimus. Item Sheprevus 28 annorum trilinguis doctissimus fato functus praematuro nimis. Inde prodiere Reginaldus Polus Cardinalis, Brocus, Juellus, Chedseus, omnes literarum gloria florentes. Europaei Orbis Academiae. Collegium Corporis Christi, quod omnium Oxoniae nitidissimum meritò audit; tum ob totius structurae, Templi imprimis, & Peristylii, Bibliothecae, atque Aulae concinnitatem, tùm propter Horoscopii Columnaris pulchritudinem, quod in areae quadratae medio, omni & ingenii & operis varietate elaboratum eminet. Wake Rex Platon.Richard Fox Bishop of Winchester, and Godfather to King Henry the 8th founded this Colledge.
It nourished Jewel, Rainolds, W…tton, Hooker, Cardinal Pool, who was chosen Pope, Dr Featley, and other learned men.
Christ-Church Colledge, Founded 1546.
Est Regia Musarum sedes, sive operis molem mirandam, sive structurae magnificentiam, five studiosorum numerum, five proventus annuos pleniùs inspiciamus, si alicubi in orbe Christiano, Christo Servatori dicata: à Thoma Volsaeo Cardinale, anno post Christum 1539. Quem fundo largo, praediis amplis, & reditibus multis illustrissimus Rex Henricus Octavus, anno Christi 1546. auctiorem reddidit, & longe consummatiorem Europaei Orbis Academiae.Thomas Wolsey Cardinal, Archbishop of York, and Lord high Chancellour of England laid the foundation of a most ample and spacious Colledge, but he falling, his design failed with the Founder.
Henry the eight enriched the same with many goodly revenues, annexing thereunto Canterbury Colledge.
It hath a spatious Court or quadrangle, nay divers, and a Hall both spatious and splendid, wherein is a most beautifull glasse Lanthorn, there is also a very fair Kitchin, which only, was finished by the Cardinal, and gave occasion to that scoff of an outlandish man, Egregium opus (saith he) Cardinalis Collegium incepit, popinam absolvit. Sanna vix è coquina deprompta adeo sale caret, saith Sir Isaac Wake in his Rex Platonicus.
Peter Martyr was once Prebend of this Colledge, as his own Epistles shew, He writes thus, Amico cuidam in Anglia, Ego cum essem Oxonii vestibus illis albis in Choro nunquam uti volui, quamvis essem Canonicus, mei facti ratio mihi constabat.
Toby Matthew Archbishop of York was of this House, and Mr Burton who wrote of Melancholy, upon whose Tomb there is this witty Epitaph,
Paucis nocus, paucioribus ignotus
Hic jacet Democritus Iunior
Cui vitam pariter & mortem
Dedit Melancholia.
Trinity Colledge, Founded 1556.
Sir Thomas Pope Knight founded this Colledge in the fourth year of the Reign of King Philip and Qu. Mary, dedicating the same to the Trinity.
St Johns Colledge, Founded 1557.
Henry Chichley Doctor of the Civil-Law Archbishop of Canterbury, among other building, laid the foundation of this Fabrick; it was enlarged by William Laud Archbishop of Canterbury.
Jesus Colledge, Founded 1572.
Hugh Prise Doctor of the Civil-Law founded this Colledge, it was perfected by Queen Elizabeth; it hath had many other Benefactors.
Wadham Colledge, Founded 1613.
Nicholas Wadham Esquire in the seventh year of the raign of King James founded it.
Pembrok Colledge, Founded 1620.
It was first Broadgate-Hall, but was called Pembroke Colledge from William Earl of Pembroke, then Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and Visitor of that Hall.
There are also in this University seven Hals, in which there are many Students living at their own charge, viz.
Glocester-Hall.
Which being first built for Monks, was after converted to a House for Scholars, by Sir Thomas White Knight.
Edmund Hall.
It was builded by S. Edmund Archbishop of Canterbury.
Albon Hall.
It was builded by the Abbot of St Albons, for their Monks to study in.
Hart Hall.
It was built by Walter Stapleton Bishop of Excester.
Mr Selden was of this House.
New Inne.
Heretofore it was called Turlocks Inne.
St Mary Hall.
It was founded by King Edward the second.
Sir Thomas More Chancellour of England was of this Hall. Cardinal Allen was principal of it about the same time.
Magdalen Hall.
It was founded by William Wainfleet Bishop of Winchester, and Dr Budden who writes his life and death, cals it Aulam Magdalene parentem Collegii, and a little book which mentions the several Colledges in Oxford and Cambridge, makes the Hall a eleven years elder then the Colledge.