New College, Oxford

New College, Oxford. Founded in 1379 by William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester, it is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford. The college was established to provide an education for scholars from Winchester College, a school also founded by Wykeham, creating one of the earliest models of a linked public school and Oxbridge college. Its formal name, The College of St Mary of Winchester in Oxford, reflects this connection, though it has been known as New College since its inception to distinguish it from the older College of St Mary.

History

The foundation of 1379 was granted by a charter from King Richard II, with the college receiving significant endowments of land, including properties in Adderbury and Worcester. Its establishment was part of a wider movement to replenish the clergy following the devastation of the Black Death. The college played a role in the Wars of the Roses, with its warden, William Waynflete, later founding Magdalen College. During the English Reformation, it surrendered much of its property but retained its core identity, with figures like Hugh Latimer being associated with it. In the 17th century, it was a Royalist stronghold during the English Civil War, and its chapel housed a powder magazine for King Charles I's forces. The 19th and 20th centuries saw modernization, including the admittance of its first female students in 1979, following the precedent set by other colleges like Somerville.

Buildings and architecture

The original 14th-century buildings, constructed around a single quadrangle, represent a pioneering example of Perpendicular Gothic architecture and are considered among the most complete medieval college complexes in Oxford. Key structures include the chapel, notable for its stained glass windows, some original and others by Joshua Reynolds, and its choir screen, alongside the hall and cloister. The college grounds are enclosed by a substantial section of the old Oxford city wall, which forms part of its boundary. Later additions include the Gothic Revival Holywell Buildings and the modern Sacher Building, designed by Rick Mather. The college's gardens and arboretum, including the famous mound, provide extensive green spaces within the city centre.

Academic profile

The college accepts undergraduates and graduates for a broad range of subjects within the University of Oxford's curriculum, with particular historical strengths in Classics, Law, and Modern History. It participates in the university's tutorial system and its fellows are involved in teaching and research across numerous disciplines, including Mathematics, Physics, and Economics. The college's library holds significant collections, including medieval manuscripts and early printed books. It maintains close academic ties with its sister college, King's College, Cambridge, and its scholars are regularly recognized by awards such as the Rhodes Scholarship and the Nobel Prize.

Student life

Student life revolves around the Junior Common Room (JCR) and Middle Common Room (MCR) organizations, which govern undergraduate and graduate affairs respectively. The college boasts a wide array of clubs and societies, including a renowned chapel choir that tours internationally and records for labels like Decca Records. Sporting traditions are strong, with teams competing in university leagues for rowing, cricket, and rugby football. Annual events include a commemoration ball and formal dinners. The college's location on Holywell Street and New College Lane places it near other historic institutions like the Bodleian Library and the Sheldonian Theatre.

Notable alumni

Alumni, known as New College men and women, have achieved prominence in diverse fields. In law and politics, they include Lord Denning, Lester B. Pearson, and Boris Johnson. Literary figures range from John Galsworthy and A. E. Housman to Kate Mosse and T. S. Eliot. The college has educated influential scientists like Tim Berners-Lee and Stephen Wolfram, as well as actors such as Hugh Grant and Rachel Weisz. Other distinguished former students span the arts, with William Walton in music, Terry Jones in comedy, and Rowan Williams in theology.