A little Oxford history

Just as a last example, here you have the third major church in Oxford.


A little Oxford History -- Oxford University was founded (informally) in 1096 (yes, I repeat -- one thousand and ninety-six AD).

I'll get on to Cambridge later, but the number 1086 is the bane of Cambridge -- they were founded in about 1200, putting them behind Oxford, forever! :P.

Another interesting fact is that even with that early date, Oxford is NOT the oldest university in Europe. That distinction is held by the University in Bologna.

Anyway, much of the interesting history of Oxford happened around the church above.

Since the University predated the actual existence of a town in Oxford, the University always held precedence over the towns people. This was challenged continuously: riots between the university students (Gowns) and townsfolk (Towns) were almost yearly affairs. The University students (Gowns) would sally from the University Church (The Church of St. Mary's above), while the Townsfolk (Towns) would rally at the Cairfax Tower church.

In the end, in 1355, the king had to intervene. He finalized the supremacy of the university over the town, and that supremacy continues to this day.