Jesus College

Hugh Price, an Oxford graduate, lawyer, clergyman, and the first Prebendary of Rochester Cathedral and treasurer of St. David's Cathedral, was a Welshman and desired to establish a seat of learning at the University for the training of Welsh lawyers. Supported by a group of Welsh senior civil lawyers, 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 Queen Elizabeth 1 in 1571. It was she who styled herself founder in the charter's title —"Jhesus College wythin the Citie and Universitie of Oxforth, of Queene Elizabethe's foundacion". Today, however, Price is acknowledged as the College's true founder.

The college is compact and picturesque. The Principal's Lodgings in the first quad were built by Sir Eubule Thelwall, a generous bene­factor who was elected Principal in 1621, and are  still used for their original purpose today. He completed the pretty Gothic chapel and built the library to the west of the hall and in line with his lodgings. That library was replaced by the Fellow's Library in 2nd quad in the late 17th century, and the second quad itself was completed in 1713, following the end of the Civil War.

The Dining Hall displays a full length portrait of Queen Elizabeth I, beneath which hangs a small portrait of Hugh Price. Former Pincipal Sir Leoline Jenkins bequeathed portraits of King Charles 1 and Charles 11 in his will in 1685. The portrait of Charles 1 is unattributed but thought to be by Sir Anthony van Dyck or a member of his studio.

Of the more recent of the college's famed alumni are T.E.Lawrence (later known as Law­rence of Arabia) and former Prime Minister Harold Wilson.

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