Founded in 1341 what stories do the stones of The Queen’s College hold? The Queen’s College stands as a testament to Oxford’s rich history. It is a constituent college of the University of Oxford. Robert de Eglesfield founded it in honour of Philippa of Hainault. She was queen of England.
The Queen’s College is known for its neoclassical architecture. The buildings mostly date back to the 18th century. In 2018, its endowment was a staggering £291 million. This made it the fourth wealthiest Oxford college.
Robert de Eglesfield established “Hall of the Queen’s scholars of Oxford”. He was chaplain to Queen Philippa of Hainault. His goal was to educate clergymen. They would serve his native Cumberland and Westmorland. He also wanted to provide charity for the poor. The college’s coat of arms is his. It is slightly different from his family’s. It features a gold star on the first eagle’s breast.
The Queen’s College lacked funds initially. It only had two fellows. Over time, it gained land and patronage. By the end of the 15th century, it had expanded to 10 fellows. By 1500, The Queen’s College began accepting paying undergraduates. These were typically sons of the gentry and middle class.
Provost Henry Robinson secured an Act of Parliament in 1585. This act officially incorporated the college as “The Queen’s College”. Robinson is now considered the second founder. The college flourished until the 1750s. Joseph Williamson, once a poor boy admitted to the college, rose to become Secretary of State. He funded a new range on Queen’s Lane in 1671–72. Thomas Barlow bequeathed his books. A new library was built between 1693 and 1696. William Townesend completed the new front quad by 1759. Many benefactions helped pay for the buildings and attract scholars.
Like other Oxford colleges, The Queen’s College faced challenges. The Oxford commission of 1850–1859 revised the statutes. It removed the northern preference for fellows and students. Requirements for fellows to be unmarried were relaxed. The number of fellows required to study theology decreased. In 1871, the Universities Tests Act allowed non-conformists and Catholics. The Queen’s College admitted its first mixed-sex cohort in 1979. It had been an all-male institution for over six centuries.
Originally called “Hall of the Queen’s scholars of Oxford”, the college was later known as “Queen’s Hall”. The Queen’s College, Oxford Act 1584 clarified the name to “the Queen’s College”. The definite article is usually omitted.
The main entrance on High Street leads to the front quad. It was built between 1709 and 1759. Nicholas Hawksmoor influenced the design. The cupola above the entrance holds a statue of Queen Caroline of Ansbach.
The Upper Library has been a focal point since its construction. James Hands designed the ceiling plasterwork. John Townsend built the library. It remains a silent reading room for students. Two 18th-century Senex globes and an orrery are displayed.
The Benjamin Cole orrery was a gift in 1763. Only the Patroness of the College and the Sedleian Professor of Natural Philosophy can turn it. The turning of the orrery last occurred on 4 February 2020.
The Queen’s College is able to provide accommodation for all of its undergraduates. Adjacent to the college is Carrodus Quad. It has en-suite rooms for first-year students.
The Florey Building in St Clement’s was a former annex. It housed most of the college’s first years until 2018. St Aldate’s House is now the largest undergraduate annex.
The Queen’s College is an active community. It has many societies and hosts triennial Commemoration balls. The Eglesfield Musical Society is the oldest musical society in Oxford.
The Queen’s College has a Latin grace. It is recited every evening before the second sitting of dinner. The Chapel Choir sings it at gaudy dinners.
Notable alumni include Tony Abbott, Rowan Atkinson, and Tim Berners-Lee. As you leave, remember the long history of The Queen’s College.