Chapter II: Preface: v

CHAPTER I.

THE RISE OF THE UNIVERSITY.

Mythical origin of the University—Early Schools of
Oxford—Intellectual revival of the twelfth century—Lectures of
Vacarius, and first germs of the University—Connection of
Oxford with the University of Paris—Recognition of the
scholars by the Papal Legate after the riot of 1209—Office
of Chancellor—University chests, and sources of revenue in
the thirteenth century—Rise of Halls—Early University
charters 1

CHAPTER II.

THE EARLY COLLEGES.

Rise of Colleges—Foundation of University and Balliol—Foundation
of Merton College—Merton College, Statutes of, 1274—Social
position, manners, and academical life of early
students—‘Chamber-dekyns’—Street brawls and disorders—Superiority
of colleges in discipline and tuition 15

CHAPTER III.

PROGRESS OF THE UNIVERSITY IN THE
FOURTEENTH CENTURY.

Europe in the fourteenth century—Social condition of the
University—Intellectual vigour of the University—Foundation
of Exeter, Oriel, Queen’s, and Canterbury Colleges—Foundation
of New College—European influence of Oxford in the
fourteenth century—Rise of Wyclif—Career of Wyclif—Feud
between Northern and Southern ‘nations’—Early
secessions to Cambridge and Northampton—Secession to
Stamford in 1333—Growth of the proctorial authority—Concession
by the Pope of freedom in the election of the
Chancellor 27

CHAPTER IV.

CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY AND THE CITY.

Royal award of 1290—Riot of 1297 and agreement of 1298—Great
riot of 1354—Interdict and penance—New charter
granted by the King 43

CHAPTER V.

THE MONKS AND FRIARS AT OXFORD.

Benedictines and Augustinians—Rise of Mendicant Orders—Claustral
schools—Migration from Paris and influence of
Robert Grostete—Position of the friars at Oxford, and University
statutes against them—Intervention of the Pope and
the King 48

CHAPTER VI.

THE UNIVERSITY IN THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY.

Decline in numbers and studies—University delegates at the
Councils of Constance and Basle—Foundation of Lincoln
and All Souls’ Colleges—Extension of University buildings;
the Divinity School and the Bodleian Library—Final
organisation of mediæval lectures and examinations—University
curriculum—Statute of 1431, regulating ‘inception’—Duties
of regent masters—Residence for degrees in the
higher faculties 55

CHAPTER VII.

THE RENAISSANCE, THE REFORMATION, AND
THE TUDOR PERIOD.

Revival of academical life at the end of the fifteenth century—Checked
by the Reformation—Pioneers of the new learning
at Oxford—Erasmus, More, Colet, Grocyn, and Linacre—Foundation
of Corpus Christi College by Bishop Fox—Greeks
and Trojans—Cardinal Wolsey and the foundation
of Christ Church—Action of the University on the questions
of the Divorce and the Royal Supremacy—Compliance of
the University rewarded by royal favour—The first effects
of the Reformation injurious to the University—Iconoclastic
Visitation under Edward VI.—Leniency towards colleges—Reaction
under Mary. Martyrdom of Ridley, Latimer, and
Cranmer—Visitation and reforms of Cardinal Pole—Foundation
of Trinity and St. John’s Colleges 68

CHAPTER VIII.

REIGN OF ELIZABETH AND CHANCELLORSHIP
OF LEICESTER.

Visitation under Elizabeth and policy of Archbishop
Parker—Chancellorship of Leicester—Changes in the government of
the University—Leicester’s administration of the
University—Depression of intellectual life in the
University—Encouragement of study by Elizabeth, and foundation of
the Bodleian Library—Increasing refinement of academical life—Queen
Elizabeth’s two visits to Oxford—Pestilences and
disturbances in the sixteenth century 87

CHAPTER IX.

THE UNIVERSITY UNDER JAMES I.

The University patronised by James I.—James I.’s attitude
towards the University and the Church—Rise and influence
of Laud—Completion of the ‘Schools,’ and foundation of
Wadham and Pembroke Colleges 100

CHAPTER X.

THE UNIVERSITY UNDER CHARLES I. AND LAUD.

Parliament at Oxford—Chancellorship of Laud—Compilation of
Laudian statutes—Main provisions of the Laudian statutes—Studies
and examinations under the Laudian statutes—Services
of Laud to the University—Last five years of
Laud’s chancellorship—Eminent members of the University
in the generation preceding the Civil Wars—University life
in the generation preceding the Civil Wars 107

CHAPTER XI.

THE UNIVERSITY DURING THE CIVIL WARS AND THE
SIEGE OF OXFORD.

The University sides with the King and the Church—The Commons
issue an order for the University—Contributions for
the King’s service, and first occupation of Oxford by Parliamentary
troops—Oxford becomes the royal head-quarters—Aspect
of the University during the Queen’s residence—The
last two years of the civil war—Siege of Oxford, and proposals
of Fairfax guaranteeing University privileges—Surrender
of Oxford, and subsequent condition of the University 122

CHAPTER XII.

THE PARLIAMENTARY VISITATION AND THE
COMMONWEALTH.

Measures preparatory to the Visitation—Appointment of the
Visitors and the Standing Committee of Parliament—Early
proceedings of the Visitors, and suppression of resistance
from the University—Visitation of colleges. Submissions
and expulsions—Reception of Fairfax and Cromwell—Second
Board of Visitors—Third Board of Visitors, and conclusion
of the Visitation—State of the University on the
recovery of its independence 138

CHAPTER XIII.

THE PERIOD BETWEEN THE RESTORATION AND
THE REVOLUTION.

The Restoration and new Visitation of the University—Extension
of University buildings. Sheldonian Theatre—Growth
of æsthetic tastes and social refinement—First visit of
Charles II.—Second visit of Charles II. Parliament assembled
and dissolved at Oxford—Doctrine of passive resistance
adopted by the University. Expulsion of Locke—Conduct
of the University on the outbreak of Monmouth’s
rebellion. James II.’s treatment of Magdalen College 151

CHAPTER XIV.

UNIVERSITY POLITICS BETWEEN THE REVOLUTION
AND THE ACCESSION OF GEORGE III.

Attitude of the University towards the Revolution. Visit of
William III.—Origin of Oxford Jacobitism. Visit of Queen
Anne—Popularity of Sacheverell. Position of the Whig
minority—Jacobite demonstrations. A troop of horse sent
to Oxford—The Constitution Club. Government scheme for
reforming the University—Gradual decline of Jacobitism
in Oxford during the reign of George II.—Revival of loyalty
after the accession of George III.—His visits to Oxford 162

CHAPTER XV.

UNIVERSITY STUDIES IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.

Decay of University education in the eighteenth century—Contemporary
evidence—Decline in numbers and dearth of
eminence in science and literature—Counter-evidence showing
that education and learning were not wholly neglected 174

CHAPTER XVI.

THE UNIVERSITY DURING THE REIGNS OF GEORGE III.
AND GEORGE IV.

Stagnation of University legislation in the eighteenth
century—Statutes affecting the University—Political sympathies of
the University after the outbreak of the French Revolution—Accessions
to professoriate in the eighteenth century—Architectural
improvements—Effects of the French war upon the University.—Opposition
to reforms—Reception of the Allied Sovereigns.—Abolition of the
Mayor’s Oath 183

CHAPTER XVII.

OXFORD STUDIES AND EXAMINATIONS IN THE
NINETEENTH CENTURY.

Examination statute of 1800, and later amendments—Examination
statute of 1850, and later amendments—University
Commission of 1850—Act of 1854 and new College Ordinances—Effect
of these reforms—Abolition of University
tests—Local examinations, and board for examination of
public schools—Commission of inquiry (1872) and Act of
1876—Commission of 1877—Character of last reforms 191

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE NEO-CATHOLIC REVIVAL, KNOWN AS THE ‘OXFORD
MOVEMENT.’

Character of the ‘Oxford Movement’—A reaction against the
rising tide of Liberalism—Oriel the centre of the Movement—John
Henry Newman—Origin of ‘Tracts for the Times’—Association
formed—Newman assumes the lead—Spread
and objects of the movement.—Publication of Tract XC.—Collapse
of Tractarianism, and secession of Newman—The
‘Hampden Controversy’—Proceedings against Pusey and
Ward—Effect of the ‘Oxford Movement’—Controversy on
the endowment of the Greek Professorship.—Defeat of Mr.
Gladstone in 1865 204

CHAPTER XIX.

THE UNIVERSITY IN 1886.

Reign of Queen Victoria—State of the University on the
Queen’s accession—Influence of recent changes—Present
character of the University 217

INDEX 223

THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD.