淡淡淡淡 ※淡淡 THE NEW COMPANION FOR OXFORD. O General DESCRIPTION. XFORD, diftinguished by its illuftrious Univerfity, and remarkable for its Antiquity, was called by the Romans, Bellofitum. We learn, that before their Conquefts, the Britains confecrated it to the Mufes. When the Place was first fortified does not appear: But the Walls now remaining were probably raised upon fome former Foundation about the Time of the Conqueft. Robert D' Oilie erected the Castle, at the Command of the Conqueror in 1071. its maffy Ruins fhew its Strength and Extent. King Henry I. built a Royal Palace on Beaumont, near Gloucester-Green, the Ruins of which are still vifible, where King Richard I. furnamed Cœur de Lion, was born. Many fabulous Accounts have been collected relating to the Origin of the UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD; but Archbishop Ufher inB forms forms us, that in King Henry the Third's Time, 30,000 Students refided here; and Rifhanger (who lived in the fame Reign) fays, that notwithstanding the Civil Wars had fo much difturbed the Peace and Quiet of this venerable Seat of Learning, there were remaining 15,000 Students. John Balliol (Father of Balliol, King of Scots) built a College, now called by his Name, in 1263: And Walter de Merton Bishop of Rochester Incorporated by Royal Charter that which is now called Merton College in 1274; and these were the first endowed Colleges in Christendom. In the City and it's Environs were several Monafteries, the most remarkable of which were St. Fridefwide's, and Ofeney Abbey. The Bifhoprick, which was heretofore part of the See of Lincoln, was erected by King Henry VIII. and placed first at Ofeney in 1542. The fituation is on an Eminence, rifing gradually from its Extremities to the Center. It is encompaffed by Meadows and Corn Fields. The Meadows, which are chiefly to the South and Weft, are about a Mile in extent; beyond which are Hills of a moderate Height, bounding the Profpect. The Eastern Profpect is likewife bounded by Hills at a little Distance; the Valley growing confiderably narrower towards the South: But the North is open to Corn-fields and Enclosures for many Miles together, without an Hill to intercept the free Current of Air, which purifies it from all noxious Vapours. It is washed by a Number of Streams: On the Eaft, by the different Branches of the Cherwell; on the South and Weft, by those of the Thames; all which meet and join a little below the City, forming one beautiful River. The Soil |
