History of Oxford University

The settlement near Oxford appeared during the Roman times. But the real history of the village Oxford began about 700 AD. In that time this village became well-known as the strategic place between two kingdoms – Mercia and Wessex. When the Norman conquered the village, it fell into decay till the year 1070. Some parts of the village walls remained till now.The first information about learning appeared in Oxford in 720 AD. In this year King Didan founded the nunnery in the grounds of Christ Cathedral with the aim to teach his daughter Frideswide. After several years the nunnery was destroyed and reconstructed only in 1120. The church was renamed into St Frideswide cathedral.By the year 1167 there were 3 schools in Oxford. But in that time the Univesity in Paris was very popular and talented students aspire to go there. King Henry II made a lot for the reputation of the Oxford University in the Europe and many students decided to finish there education in Oxford. But the Oxford school took also a lot from Paris University. For example, the teaching in the Oxford school was held according to the Paris curriculum. There were many strict rules in the Oxford school and all the students have to wear a long black gown In the year 1214 the Oxford school was recognized as a university and this new status attracted many students. By the end of the 13th century the university became less religious. In the next century many colleges in the Oxford University appeared. The majority of such colleges were established by reach people. The oldest colleges are: University College, Merton and Balliol. During the 14th and 15th other 7 colleges were established: Oriel, Exeter, Lincoln, new college, Queen’s college, All souls and Magdalen. During the following centuries there were many changes in the Oxford University. The main change refers to that fact that the people from the middle class begin to send their children to the Oxford University. Moreover, the students began to pay for the studying and it caused the development of the university.