“Manners Makyth Man” That’s New College’s motto. A powerful statement isn’t it? Standing before you is New College one of Oxford’s oldest colleges. Founded in 1379 by William of Wykeham it’s steeped in history. Wykeham a powerful Bishop of Winchester wanted a college to provide prayers for his soul. He also aimed to educate clergy replacing those lost to the Black Death.
New College wasn’t just new in name. It was revolutionary. It was one of the first colleges to accept and tutor undergraduates. Imagine the intellectual ferment. Wykeham’s vision was huge. New College was almost as large as all six existing Oxford colleges combined. He even purchased land near the City Ditch a dangerous area once used for Black Death burials.
The architecture is breathtaking. The Great Quadrangle with its Gate Tower is a masterpiece of the Perpendicular style. The chapel is enormous. The choir originally housed within the walls has recorded over one hundred albums. They even won two Gramophone Awards. The hall is eighty feet by forty feet. Wykeham forbade noisy games. He insisted on Latin conversation. The cloisters are enchanting. They even appeared in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
But New College’s story isn’t just about stones and stained glass. It’s about people. Famous alumni include Virginia Woolf and John Fowles. The college even maintains a section of the original city wall a testament to its enduring commitment. The college gardens boast an Elizabethan viewing mound built atop a Black Death burial ground. A fascinating juxtaposition.
New College continues to evolve. New buildings have been added over the centuries. The Gradel Quadrangles provide more student rooms dining space and even a performance venue. Yet the college remains faithful to Wykeham’s ideals. Manners still maketh man at New College. Its story a blend of scholarship faith and architectural splendor resonates to this day. So take a moment. Absorb the history. Feel the weight of centuries in this extraordinary place.