| Oxford University Magdalen |
| 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. |
| 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 right: "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 original entrance to Magdalen 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 !. |
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| Reproductions of postcards with a (Z) following the description are available to buy from Zazzle - just click on the (Z) ! Similarly, GC = Greetings Card, P = Print, ST = US Postage Stamp, M = Mousepad, K = Key Ring, FM = Fridge Magnet, SM = Souvenir Mug, X = Xmas Card. |
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