Jesus College

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Hugh Price, an Oxford graduate, the first prebendary of Rochester and treasurer of St. David's, was a Welshman and having no children seems to have wished to found a college for his countrymen scattered in various halls and colleges. He bought White Hall with several parcels of ground and smaller halls be­tween Cheyney Lane and Somnore Lane (now the Turl and Ship Street) and obtained the necessary charter of foundation from the Queen, but it was she who styled herself founder in the charter's title —"Thesus College wythin the Citie and Universitie of Oxforth, of Queene Elizabethe's foundacion". However, Price was called "founder" in the inscription below his portrait and will always be regarded as such.

The college is compact and picturesque. The founder began building to the north of the present gate which was not erected until 1856, when the east side of the quad was 'restored'. The principal's lodgings were erected by Thelwall, a generous bene­factor who was elected principal in 1621. He completed the pretty Gothic chapel and built the library to the west of the hall and in line with his lodgings. The second quad was not completed till 1713 when the library was rebuilt.

There is in the hall a full length portrait of Queen Elizabeth I and a small one attributed to Holbein of Hugh Price. Also one of Charles I by Vandyk and one by Lely of Charles II.

Of the more recent of the college's famed alumni are Law­rence of Arabia and Harold Wilson.

Further dates : Founded 1571, Chapel and Hall 1617, Library 1679.

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