Merton College Quad

Two other colleges, University and Balliol, claim prior places, but Merton appears to have the best right to the earliest foundation.

Walter de Merton, having no children of his own conceived the idea of devoting a portion of the revenues of his estates to the education of his nephews and young relatives and at length a self-governing, corporate community with a common academic aim was formed, in short, the first college even as the term is understood in the University as it is today. Later founders were not slow to copy de Merton's model. In 1274 a set of statutes was drawn up and the College definitely established in Oxford, under its first warden, Peter de Abingdon.

When King Charles marched into Oxford "the only city he could say was at his devotion", his Queen kept court at Merton. After the Restoration, Charles II fleeing from the plague, his Queen Katherine took up her lodging in Merton with her maids of honour. Again courtiers instead of scholars, filled Merton and children were born within its walls.

William Harvey M.D. of Caius College Cambridge, Physician to Charles I, was imposed upon the College as its Warden. Time works changes, for the College is now proud to have had as Warden one who is known all over the world as the discoverer of the circulation of the blood.

Although the origin of its name "Mob Quad" is not known, it is interesting as being the oldest existing quadrangle in Oxford. Of the original buildings very little remains, except perhaps, the walls of the hall and the great north door of its vestibule, with its marvellous iron tracery.

In the drawing, the range of chambers to the right, datefrom 1308. One end of the library, 1371, the oldest in England, is shown on the left. The Chapel tower, a fine example of the perpendicular style was finished in 1451, its eight bells dating from 1680.

The dates of some of the other college buildings; Hall 1274, parts of the Chapel 1289, Gatehouse 1418.