Oxford (England) -- Description and travel; University of Oxford
In the view of the interior of the Quadrangle the building at the back
is the Library; the abundance of creepers on the left hand adds to the
idea of comfort suggested by the homeliness of the architecture.
The third illustration shews the Hall as seen from St. Peter's
Churchyard. The vicinity of the monuments may serve to remind members of
the Hall of their mortality.
Hearne, the antiquary, was a member of St. Edmund Hall; so also was Sir
Richard Blackmore, who was in residence for thirteen years. It was his
lot, says Johnson, "to be much oftener mentioned by enemies than by
friends"; but this is hardly surprising, in view of the interminable
epics which he inflicted upon his contemporaries.
NEW COLLEGE
|THIS College, in respect of its buildings and its endowments, is one
of the most splendid in the University. Its founder, William of Wykeham,
rose through the favour of Edward III. to high positions in Church and
State, being made Bishop of Winchester in 1366 and Chancellor of England
in the following year. He was a man of affairs, liberal and tolerant,
who took delight in building, and had himself great skill in
architecture. He had already, before he designed New College, as Clerk
of the Works to Edward III., rebuilt Windsor Castle. Doubtless, zeal
for education was one of his incentives; but he must have known a
deep gratification, as the work went on, in the growth of the stately
buildings which were to perpetuate his name. Richard II.'s sanction was
given in 1379, and Wykeham's Society took possession of its completed
home in 1386. During the six years which followed, its founder was
occupied with the building of Winchester College, the other great
institution connected with his name. He died in 1404, in his eightieth
year, and was buried in Winchester Cathedral, having lived long enough
to see his two Foundations prosperously started upon their several
careers.
New College, as left by William of Wyke-ham, consisted of the chief
Quadrangle (which includes the Chapel, Hall, and Library), the Cloisters
with their tower, and the gardens. It is this Quadrangle (shewing the
Chapel) which appears in Mr. Matthison's first drawing; but it is not
quite as Wykeham saw it, for the third storey was added, as at
Brasenose, in the seventeenth century, when the windows also were
modernised.
Passing through this Quadrangle, the visitor reaches the Garden Court,
which is also the creation of the seventeenth century, and was built in
imitation of the Palace of Versailles. Seen from the garden (as in the
second illustration) it certainly has, with its fivefold frontage and
its extensive iron palisade, a most imposing appearance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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