| Postcards of the Past |
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| Oxford University Magdalen |
| Click here to see our postcards of the City of Oxford. |
| Magdalen from the Cherwell. |
Magdalen College was founded in 1448 as Magdalen Hall by William of Waynefleet,
Bishop of Winchester. It was originally on the High Street but Waynefleet managed to get
hold of a large chunk of land just outside the city as it was then, and established
Magdalen College and its associated School and Hall. The latter became part of Hertford
College whilst the school still flourishes. Because of its location close to the city centre
and the River Cherwell, and its spacious grounds, Magdalen is one of the most visited of
Oxford's Colleges and is generally considered to be the most beautiful.
Bishop of Winchester. It was originally on the High Street but Waynefleet managed to get
hold of a large chunk of land just outside the city as it was then, and established
Magdalen College and its associated School and Hall. The latter became part of Hertford
College whilst the school still flourishes. Because of its location close to the city centre
and the River Cherwell, and its spacious grounds, Magdalen is one of the most visited of
Oxford's Colleges and is generally considered to be the most beautiful.
The Meadow lies to the east of the college, bounded on all sides by the
River Cherwell. In the spring, it is filled with Snakeshead Fritillaries, flowers
which have been growing in the meadow since around 1785. When they
have finished flowering deer are moved in for the Summer and Autumn.
Around the edge of the meadow is Addison's Walk, a tree-lined path which
provides a beautiful and tranquil walk, although in very hot weather it can
suffer from unpleasant river smells.
To the North-East of the Meadow is the Fellows' Garden which follows the
Cherwell to the edge of the University Parks and is linked to Addison's Walk
by a bridge.
From the reverse of the postcard to the left: "Addison's Walk and Fellows'
Gardens. The Gardens of Oxford, open so freely to the public, are not the
least of its attractions, and Magdalen, "the Queen of Colleges", with tis deer
park and water-walks, is among the loveliest. Every May-day morning at
5am a goodly band of choristers mount the noble tower and sing a
"Hymnus Eucharisticus", while crowds of townsfolk gather on "Maudlen"
Bridge and in the streets near by, to get a "Foretaste of what sweet things
the songs of angels are.""
River Cherwell. In the spring, it is filled with Snakeshead Fritillaries, flowers
which have been growing in the meadow since around 1785. When they
have finished flowering deer are moved in for the Summer and Autumn.
Around the edge of the meadow is Addison's Walk, a tree-lined path which
provides a beautiful and tranquil walk, although in very hot weather it can
suffer from unpleasant river smells.
To the North-East of the Meadow is the Fellows' Garden which follows the
Cherwell to the edge of the University Parks and is linked to Addison's Walk
by a bridge.
From the reverse of the postcard to the left: "Addison's Walk and Fellows'
Gardens. The Gardens of Oxford, open so freely to the public, are not the
least of its attractions, and Magdalen, "the Queen of Colleges", with tis deer
park and water-walks, is among the loveliest. Every May-day morning at
5am a goodly band of choristers mount the noble tower and sing a
"Hymnus Eucharisticus", while crowds of townsfolk gather on "Maudlen"
Bridge and in the streets near by, to get a "Foretaste of what sweet things
the songs of angels are.""
The Great Tower, the Hall and the Chapel were all built at the end of
the 15th and early 16th Centuries. The Tower is an imposing
landmark to the east of the city centre.
The Cloister or Great Quad is slightly earlier and has been altered
several times. In 1822, the north side was knocked down while most
of the fellows were away from college and rebuilt shortly afterwards.
the 15th and early 16th Centuries. The Tower is an imposing
landmark to the east of the city centre.
The Cloister or Great Quad is slightly earlier and has been altered
several times. In 1822, the north side was knocked down while most
of the fellows were away from college and rebuilt shortly afterwards.
The original entrance to Magdalen
was the Great gateway beneath the
Founder's Tower. Today this
building houses a library and the
Fellows' Common Room.
was the Great gateway beneath the
Founder's Tower. Today this
building houses a library and the
Fellows' Common Room.
Links:
Magdalen College Website. An excellent website with lots of
history.
Wikipedia. The usual Wikipedia type page but with lots of
information which is accurate in the main.
Sacred Destinations. History, photographs and What to See.
Of Choristers. A history of Magdalen Choir.
Magdalen College Website. An excellent website with lots of
history.
Wikipedia. The usual Wikipedia type page but with lots of
information which is accurate in the main.
Sacred Destinations. History, photographs and What to See.
Of Choristers. A history of Magdalen Choir.
If you have some old postcards of Magdalen which you would like to see on
this page, please contact us. Similarly we would like to include your
memories of the college and any interesting anecdotes you may have.
this page, please contact us. Similarly we would like to include your
memories of the college and any interesting anecdotes you may have.
Famous Magdalen alumni include: Joseph Addison; Oscar Wilde; Dudley Moore; C S Lewis; William
Hague; Sir Bernard Spilsbury, pathologist; Michael Denison, film actor; Edward VIII. There are of course
many more - if you have any suggestions for someone to be included, please contact us !.
Hague; Sir Bernard Spilsbury, pathologist; Michael Denison, film actor; Edward VIII. There are of course
many more - if you have any suggestions for someone to be included, please contact us !.
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