St Edmund Hall, Oxford

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St Edmund Hall, Oxford
                     
College name St Edmund Hall
Aula Sancti Edmundi
Named after St Edmund of Abingdon
Established 13th century, (c. 1226)
Sister College Fitzwilliam College
Principal Prof. Michael Mingos
JCR President Ryan Buckingham
Undergraduates 395
Graduates 148
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St Edmund Hall is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Within the University it is better known by its nickname, "Teddy Hall". It has a claim to being "the oldest academical society for the education of undergraduates (A. B. Emden) in any University"[1]

Like the University of Oxford itself, the precise date of establishment of St Edmund Hall is unknown; it is usually estimated at 1226. The college is named after St Edmund of Abingdon, Oxfordshire, the first known Oxford Master of Arts and the first Oxford-educated Archbishop of Canterbury, who lived and taught on the college site.

St Edmund Hall began life as one of Oxford's ancient Aularian houses, the mediaeval halls that laid the foundation of the University, preceding the creation of the first colleges. As the only surviving mediaeval hall, its members are known as "Aularians". St Edmund Hall took on the status of a college in 1957, though retaining the historical moniker of "Hall".

The college has a history of independent thought, which has brought it into regular conflict with both church and state. During the late 14th century and early 15th century, it was a bastion of the Wyclif heresy, for which college principal William Taylor was ultimately burnt at the stake, and principal Peter Payne fled the country. In the 17th century, it incurred the wrath of the crown for fostering nonjurors, men who remained loyal to the Scottish House of Stuart and who refused to take the oath to the German House of Hanover, whom they regarded as having usurped the British throne.

The student body has long been known for prowess in sport, especially rugby. More recently, it has also demonstrated strengths in journalism, drama, and student politics.

St Edmund Hall is based on a small central site on the north side of the High Street. The front quadrangle (see picture) is bordered by the porters' lodge, the old dining hall (1659), the college bar and buttery (containing a mid-15th-century fireplace), the chapel with the old library above (late 17th century), and accommodation for students and fellows. In the centre of the quadrangle is a medieval well. Passages from the quadrangle give access to the college library (the deconsecrated church of St Peter in the East, 12th century) and gardens (St Peter's churchyard) to the north, and modern accommodation blocks and dining hall to the east. The college also owns annexes at Norham Gardens, on Dawson Street, and on Iffley Road.

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[edit] College Colours

Like most academic institutions, Oxbridge colleges commonly have a colour scheme used for college scarves, ties, sports clothing and so on. There is a great deal of confusion regarding the Hall's official college colours which seems to have arisen due to a discrepancy between "official college wear" and sporting wear.

The college's official colours are frequently referred to as "claret and cream" and this is indeed the scheme used on the college scarf and ties as can be seen by looking at the St Edmund Hall section on the Shepherd and Woodward website.

The vast majority of sporting wear is however produced in a dark red, often maroon, and yellow perhaps due to these colours being easier/cheaper to produce. This has naturally led to many people incorrectly assuming that these are the college colours. Confusion may also be caused by the fact that the college's coat of arms has a yellow/gold field.

[edit] Notable former students

See also Former students of St Edmund Hall.

[edit] References

  1. ^ College History H.E.J. Cowdrey, entry in Encyclopaedia of Oxford, reproduced on St Edmund Hall Website.
  • Emden, A.B., (1927), An Oxford Hall in Medieval Times: being the Early History of St. Edmund Hall, Clarendon Press, Reprinted 1968
  • Kelly, J.N.D., (1989), St. Edmund Hall: Almost Seven Hundred Years, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19951-559-X

[edit] External links


Colleges of the University of Oxford

Arms of the University

All Souls | Balliol | Brasenose | Christ Church | Corpus Christi | Exeter | Green | Harris Manchester | Hertford | Jesus | Keble | Kellogg | Lady Margaret Hall | Linacre | Lincoln | Magdalen | Mansfield | Merton | New College | Nuffield | Oriel | Pembroke | Queen's | St Anne's | St Antony's | St Catherine's | St Cross | St Edmund Hall | St Hilda's | St Hugh's | St John's | St Peter's | Somerville | Templeton | Trinity | University | Wadham | Wolfson | Worcester
Permanent Private Halls at the University of Oxford

Blackfriars | Campion Hall | Greyfriars | Regent's Park College | St Benet's Hall | St Stephen's House | Wycliffe Hall
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