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Balliol College, Oxford University

John Balliol was one of Henry III's most powerful supporters during the Baron's War of 1258-1265. Balliol married Devorguilla, a Scottish princess, and their son, also named John, briefly became King of Scotland in 1296.

Sometime around 1260 Balliol, under the guidance of the Bishop of Durham, decided on an act of charity. He established a house in outer Oxford for housing needy students.

When Balliol died in 1269 his widow Devorguilla formally established Balliol as a college, providing official statutes and the seal of the college, which it still maintains.

Only 16 students inhabited Balliiol College, and each received an allowance of eightpence per week. Although Balliol remained small for several centuries, it lays proud claim to several prominent members during the medieval period, including church reformer John Wycliffe, who was Master in 1360.

A century later William Gray, later Bishop of Ely, was a member. It was Gray who donated his extensive collection of European manuscripts to the college. The collection is now the single largest medieval collection in England.

Balliol grew in size and influence during the Tudor period, despite its history of Catholic support. Famous members during this period include diarist John Evelyn. The Civil War was not kind to Balliol, however; the war itself caused enrollment to drop, and the college was forced to lend support to the royalist cause, including "donating" all its silver plate to the king - a debt which has never been repaid.

Balliol was in and out of serious debt for the next century, a situation which was only remedied when some property it owned in Northumberland proved to be located atop a seam of rich coal.

Balliol was one of the first colleges to create academic opportunities for women. In 1884 women were allowed to attend classes if they were accompanied by "some elder person".

More Oxford University Colleges

Text © David Ross and Britain Express 2004