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Oxford University - Oriel
College
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Oriel CollegeThe original name of Oriel College was "House of the Blessed Mary the Virgin in Oxford". The "oriel" refers to the oriel windows of a former tenement building which stood on this site before the college was built. Oriel was founded in 1326 by Adam de Brome, a functionary at the court of Edward II. Brome induced the king to endow Oriel with money and lands, and Edward is therefore claimed as a co-founder by the college. Many of the original medieval buildings were rebuilt in the early 17th century, though they echo the Gothic style of the earlier buildings. The hall and chapel of the 14th century St. Mary's Hall survive, though the chapel is now the Junior Library and the hall is the Junior Common Room. Reknowned architect James Wyatt is responsible for the peaceful tree-flanked Library in the Back Quad. More recent is the 20th century Rhodes Building, which fronts onto High Street. This was built in honour of Cecil Rhodes, a former undergraduate who left part of his enormous fortune to Oriel. More Oxford University Colleges Text © David Ross and Britain Express 2004 |
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