Oxford: Brief Historical and Descriptive Notes (page 2/3)

[picture: Frontispiece: Magdalen Tower.]

Frontispiece: Magdalen Tower.

From an Etching by R. Kent Thomas. [$]

[picture: View of Oxford]

View of Oxford

We see the ancient city in the distance between trees in the foreground. [more...] [$]

[picture: Godstowe]

Godstowe

“ Any places of strength in Oxford would command the roads leading to the north and west, and the secure, raised paths that ran through the flooded fens to the ford or bridge, if bridge [...]grand pont, where Folly Bridge now spans the Isis. Somewhere near Oxford, the roads that ran towards Banbury and the north, or towards Bristol and the west, would be obliged to cross the river. The water-way, too, and the paths by the Thames’ side, were commanded by Oxford. The Danes, as they followed up the course of the Thames from London, would be drawn thither, sooner or later, and would covet a place, which is surrounded by half-a-dozen deep natural moats.” (p. 9) [more...] [$]

[picture: Folly Bridge]

Folly Bridge

“Any places of strength in Oxford would command the roads leading to the north and west, and the secure, raised paths that ran through the flooded fens to the ford or bridge, if bridge there then was, between Godstowe and the later Norman grand [...] [more...] [$]

[picture: Oxford Castle]

Oxford Castle

From an Etching by A. Brunet-Debaines. [more...] [$]

[picture: Bocardo, destroyed in 1771.]

Bocardo, destroyed in 1771.

Lang says that the Bocardo Prison predated the University.

The image is signed “S. R.” [$]

[picture: Bocardo, North Side]

Bocardo, North Side

The Bocardo, the mediaeval prison in Oxford, shown from the North side; the engraving is signed “S. R.” [more...] [$]

[picture: Isis and Oxford Canal]

Isis and Oxford Canal

In the foreground a man wearing a hat and carrying a bag or box stands at a canal lock; another walks along the towpath. On the river we see someone punting a [...] [more...] [$]

[picture: The Muniment Room at Merton College]

The Muniment Room at Merton College

From a Drawing by R. Kent Thomas. [more...] [$]

[picture: Magdalen Tower From Christchurch]

Magdalen Tower From Christchurch

From an Etching by A. Brunet-Debaines [$]

[picture: Magdalen Cloisters]

Magdalen Cloisters

The tower is also featured in several paintings by Haslehust’s illustrations of Oxford. [more...] [$]


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