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Lincoln College

Lincoln College is built around one of the best preserved quads (central green space) of all Oxford Colleges. The first buildings around Front Quad were constructed on the west range in about 1430. The hall and kitchen in the north range followed seven years later.

Look up as you enter the hall and you will see the Lincoln Imp, modeled after the famous stone carving in the Angel Choir of Lincoln Cathedral. The figure replaces the Devil of Lincoln College, a grotesque carving that literally "lost its head" in a storm. The older carving gave rise to a saying, "to look on one as the devil looks over Lincoln".

The Wesley Room in the south range at Lincoln is thought to be the room used by Methodist reformer John Wesley when he was a Fellow here. The room has been restored to include period furnishings and Wesleyan memorabilia.

Pass through Front Quad and you will enter Chapel Quad. Though the buildings appear similar in style to the 15th century construction around Front Quad, they are actually products of the 17th century.

The College Chapel is a delightful building, constructed 1629-1631 on the site of the college's bowling alley! Due partly to lack of funds over the years, Lincoln's chapel has remained much as it was built, with some of the finest painted glass windows in Oxford. The pulpit dates from about 1630, and it is portable, so that it could be moved into the centre of the chapel when it came time to preach the sermon.

The hall at Lincoln College is a treasure - the 15th century timber-beamed roof is a lovely example of medieval workmanship in wood. The floor is made of 16th century planks, and the walls were paneled in the early 18th century.

When in the hall, look for the portrait of Rector Tatham over the High Table. This illustrious gentleman was famous for once giving a sermon so long and boring that the only person able to last it out proved to be dead!

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Text © David Ross and Britain Express