Greyfriars, Oxford
Encyclopedia
Greyfriars, situated on the Iffley Road
in East Oxford, was one of the smallest constituent Halls of the University of Oxford
in England. Its previous status as a Permanent Private Hall (or PPH) referred to the fact that it was governed by an outside institution (the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin
, a Franciscan
Order), rather than by its fellows as is a College.
Greyfriars had undoubtedly one of the most distinctive buildings in Oxford; it is the only flint-stone Norman-style building in the city, and its green spire is notably visible along the Iffley Road and from the University's famous sports ground.
, also a theologian and Bishop of Lincoln
, who became head of Greyfriars
, Master of the School of Oxford from 1208, and the first Chancellor of the University of Oxford.
Some time later, the Capuchin branch of the Order established a friary, known as St Anselm's, which was recognised by the University as a House of Studies in 1910. In 1919, the Friars moved to the current site on the Iffley Road – first naming it Grosseteste House after the first Head of the original Greyfriars – and on completion of the present building in 1930, the name of Greyfriars was adopted once more. The status of Permanent Private Hall was conferred upon Greyfriars by the University in 1957 and surrendered in 2008.
In 2007 Greyfriars celebrated 50 years of its PPH status, with considerable flourish, and an unusually high number of first-class undergraduate grades marked the year.
In July 2007, the University of Oxford published its Review of the Permanent Private Halls associated with the University of Oxford. The Review expressed clear concerns about the viability of Greyfriars as a going concern within the University. In particular, it expressed concern about the way in which fellows were appointed, and library support was described as "clearly inadequate" (p. 14).
It was decided that all students and prospective applicants would transfer to Regent's Park College
. The existing Fellows, students, and alumni were not consulted in advance about this decision, which aroused considerable controversy; substantial proposals by the Fellows for the continuation of Greyfriars Hall were considered by the Governing Body but never in an open forum. The University eventually indicated that the Friars' licence to run Greyfriars as a PPH would not be transferred to any other body, and the Hall closed in June 2008, despite the last minute attempt to save the Hall by the Holy See. The Capuchin Order states that it will continue to exist at Greyfriars in Oxford and the premises will continue to operate as a friary; the order will maintain responsibility for the parish.
The Hall annually held a popular summer garden party, and a "bop" that was dubbed 'The Monastery of Sound' in tongue-in-cheek acknowledgement of the friars. Greyfriars was also influential in the prestigious Oxford Law Society
, the Conservative Association
, the Dramatic Society, and the Indie Music Society, not to mention rowing, hockey, rugby, tennis and table tennis. Its increasing prominence was very much disproportionate to student numbers, which was testament to their eagerness to get involved in University life.
As with all Oxford colleges, Greyfriars' student community was a JCR
, run by an annually elected committee usually consisting of a President, Secretary, Treasurer and various other Officers as necessary.
Famous Former Students (of the First Foundation)
The Governing Body:
The Warden (Head of House):
The Senior Tutor:
The Fellows:
Honorary Fellows:
Director of Alumni & Development:
Patron:
President:
The Director:
Deputy Directors:
Iffley Road
Iffley Road is a major arterial road in Oxford, England. It leads from The Plain, near Magdalen Bridge, south-east towards the village of Iffley. While it becomes Henley Avenue at Iffley Turn, and then Rose Hill, many people will refer to the whole stretch from the ring road to The Plain as Iffley...
in East Oxford, was one of the smallest constituent Halls of the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
in England. Its previous status as a Permanent Private Hall (or PPH) referred to the fact that it was governed by an outside institution (the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin
Order of Friars Minor Capuchin
The Order of Friars Minor Capuchin is an Order of friars in the Catholic Church, among the chief offshoots of the Franciscans. The worldwide head of the Order, called the Minister General, is currently Father Mauro Jöhri.-Origins :...
, a Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
Order), rather than by its fellows as is a College.
Greyfriars had undoubtedly one of the most distinctive buildings in Oxford; it is the only flint-stone Norman-style building in the city, and its green spire is notably visible along the Iffley Road and from the University's famous sports ground.
History
The original Greyfriars church and friary was founded by the Franciscans in 1224, but was suppressed during the Reformation in the sixteenth century. The Friars had a long and esteemed history in Oxford, listing many famous alumni, including the English Statesman, Robert GrossetesteRobert Grosseteste
Robert Grosseteste or Grossetete was an English statesman, scholastic philosopher, theologian and Bishop of Lincoln. He was born of humble parents at Stradbroke in Suffolk. A.C...
, also a theologian and Bishop of Lincoln
Bishop of Lincoln
The Bishop of Lincoln is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Lincoln in the Province of Canterbury.The present diocese covers the county of Lincolnshire and the unitary authority areas of North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire. The Bishop's seat is located in the Cathedral...
, who became head of Greyfriars
Greyfriars
Greyfriars may refer to:* the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor, in particular the Conventual Franciscans* Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh, a church* Greyfriars Bobby, a renowned dog in Edinburgh* Greyfriars Kirkyard, a graveyard in Edinburgh...
, Master of the School of Oxford from 1208, and the first Chancellor of the University of Oxford.
Some time later, the Capuchin branch of the Order established a friary, known as St Anselm's, which was recognised by the University as a House of Studies in 1910. In 1919, the Friars moved to the current site on the Iffley Road – first naming it Grosseteste House after the first Head of the original Greyfriars – and on completion of the present building in 1930, the name of Greyfriars was adopted once more. The status of Permanent Private Hall was conferred upon Greyfriars by the University in 1957 and surrendered in 2008.
In 2007 Greyfriars celebrated 50 years of its PPH status, with considerable flourish, and an unusually high number of first-class undergraduate grades marked the year.
Controversy and closure
In March 2007, the Order announced without prior discussion to the Fellows or students its intention to withdraw from its ministry as a Permanent Private Hall of the University, for financial and personnel reasons and because the University appeared to be insisting on a more collegiate model for the Permanent Private Halls which, it was argued, would have made it untenable for the Friars, given their declining numbers of suitable personnel.In July 2007, the University of Oxford published its Review of the Permanent Private Halls associated with the University of Oxford. The Review expressed clear concerns about the viability of Greyfriars as a going concern within the University. In particular, it expressed concern about the way in which fellows were appointed, and library support was described as "clearly inadequate" (p. 14).
It was decided that all students and prospective applicants would transfer to Regent's Park College
Regent's Park College, Oxford
Regent's Park College is a Permanent Private Hall in the University of Oxford, situated in central Oxford, just off St Giles.The College admits both undergraduate and graduate students to take Oxford degrees in a variety of Arts, Humanities and Social Science subjects...
. The existing Fellows, students, and alumni were not consulted in advance about this decision, which aroused considerable controversy; substantial proposals by the Fellows for the continuation of Greyfriars Hall were considered by the Governing Body but never in an open forum. The University eventually indicated that the Friars' licence to run Greyfriars as a PPH would not be transferred to any other body, and the Hall closed in June 2008, despite the last minute attempt to save the Hall by the Holy See. The Capuchin Order states that it will continue to exist at Greyfriars in Oxford and the premises will continue to operate as a friary; the order will maintain responsibility for the parish.
Friary and tuition
Greyfriars occupied a unique position in Oxford, in that its University Hall and Franciscan friary were part of the same institution and coexisted on the same site – however, the friars were not usually members of the academic hall (though this was not without exception), nor were the students actually affiliated to the friary (the two groups did, however, mingle, most notably at mealtimes). Furthermore, no religious restrictions were placed on applicants; and, while the Hall had a tradition of noted Theology academics, a wide range of disciplines were studied by students – the most common being History, Theology, Geography and Law. While the Hall employed tutors specialising in certain areas of some of these subjects, students generally went to other colleges for the majority of their tutorials. Greyfriars students were tutored at a wide number of the University's colleges at some point or another.Student life
While Greyfriars was small in terms of grounds and numbers, it boasted a close-knit community and a lively academic life. Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, undergraduate numbers tended to be around the 30 mark, with an average of between nine and eleven students per year in addition to a handful of visiting and postgraduate students. From around 2003, numbers swelled markedly, and the student population of the Hall when it closed numbered closer to 50.The Hall annually held a popular summer garden party, and a "bop" that was dubbed 'The Monastery of Sound' in tongue-in-cheek acknowledgement of the friars. Greyfriars was also influential in the prestigious Oxford Law Society
Oxford Law Society
Oxford Law Society is a student society open to members of Oxford University and the Oxford Institute of Legal Practice .Most of the society's revenues are derived from sponsorship from City law firms and barristers' chambers...
, the Conservative Association
Oxford University Conservative Association
The Oxford University Conservative Association, or OUCA is a student political organisation founded in 1924 whose members are drawn from the University of Oxford...
, the Dramatic Society, and the Indie Music Society, not to mention rowing, hockey, rugby, tennis and table tennis. Its increasing prominence was very much disproportionate to student numbers, which was testament to their eagerness to get involved in University life.
As with all Oxford colleges, Greyfriars' student community was a JCR
JCR
JCR may refer to:* Revolutionary Coordinating Junta of 1970s urban guerrilla communist parties in South America* Content repository API for Java * Junior Common Room...
, run by an annually elected committee usually consisting of a President, Secretary, Treasurer and various other Officers as necessary.
Famous Former Students (of the First Foundation)
- Antipope Alexander VAntipope Alexander VAlexander V was antipope during the Western Schism . He reigned from June 26, 1409, to his death in 1410 and is officially regarded by the Roman Catholic Church as an antipope....
(ca. 1339 – May 3, 1410) - Hamo of Faversham (d. 1244)
- Alexander of HalesAlexander of HalesAlexander Hales also called Doctor Irrefragabilis and Theologorum Monarcha was a notable thinker important in the history of scholasticism and the Franciscan School.-Life:Alexander was born at Hales ,...
, Doctor Irrefragabilis (c. 1170–1245) - Adam MarshAdam MarshAdam Marsh was an English Franciscan, scholar and theologian.-Biography:He was born about 1200 in the diocese of Bath, and educated at Oxford under the famous Grosseteste....
, MA (d. 1258) - Robert GrossetesteRobert GrossetesteRobert Grosseteste or Grossetete was an English statesman, scholastic philosopher, theologian and Bishop of Lincoln. He was born of humble parents at Stradbroke in Suffolk. A.C...
(c.1175–1253) - Roger BaconRoger BaconRoger Bacon, O.F.M. , also known as Doctor Mirabilis , was an English philosopher and Franciscan friar who placed considerable emphasis on the study of nature through empirical methods...
, DD, Doctor Mirabilis (c. 1214–1292) - John of Peckham, DD, (c.1225/30–1292)
- Thomas Docking (d. 1270)
- John Duns Scotus, BD, DD, Doctor Subtilis (c. 1265–1308)
- William of Occam, DD, Doctor Invincibilis (c.1300–1394)
Fellows & senior staff at the surrender of the licence
The Visitor:- The Most Revd Minister GeneralMinister generalMinister General is the term used for the Superior General of the different branches of the Franciscan Order. It is a term exclusive to them, and comes directly from its founder, St. Francis of Assisi....
, OFM Cap
The Governing Body:
- The Very Revd Minister Provincial, Fr James Boner, OFM Cap
- The Council of the Minister Provincial
- The Warden of Greyfriars (below)
The Warden (Head of House):
- The Revd Mark Elvins, OFMCapMark ElvinsMark Turnham Elvins, OFMCap, was Warden of Greyfriars, Oxford until its closure in 2008.- Biography :Mark Turnham Elvins was born in 1939 at Whitstable, the son of an Anglican clergyman who had been Rector of St Mary in the Castle, Dover....
The Senior Tutor:
- Dr Richard Lawes, MA, D.Phil, (MB, Ch.B, B.Sc. Edin.) M.R.C. Psych.
The Fellows:
- Dr Jane Baun, BA, MA, Ph.D, Tutorial and Research Fellow in Theology, since 2003
- Prof Jonathan Black-branch, MA, Dip LATHE, D.Phil, BEd, MEd, Ph.D, Tutor in Law, since 2005
- Penelope Cookson, BA, MA, "Tutor in Latin, since 2005"
- Dr Richard Lawes, MA, D.Phil, (MB, Ch.B, B.Sc. Edin.) M.R.C. Psych, Fellow in English, since 2002
- Dr Donal Lowry, BA, MA status, Ph.D, FRHist.S, Tutor in Modern History, since 2000
- Dr Elizabeth Lowry, BA, D.Phil, Tutor in English, since 2000
- Dr Anne Mouron, Licence, M.Phil, D.Phil, Tutor in English, since 2000
- Rev'd Dr Aidan NicholsAidan NicholsJohn Christopher "Aidan" Nichols OP is an academic and Catholic priest.Nichols served as the first John Paul II Memorial Visiting Lecturer at the University of Oxford for 2006 to 2008, the first lectureship of Catholic theology at that university since the Reformation...
, O.P, John Paul II Lecturer in Roman Catholic Theology
- Dr Alan O'Day, (2001), BA, MA, Ph.D, FRHist.S, Tutor in Modern History, since 2001
- Revd Fr John Saward, (2003), BA, MA, M.Litt, Tutor in Theology, since 2003
- Dr John Stevenson
- Dr John Yocum, BA, BD, MA, D.Phil, Tutor in Theology 2000-2003
Honorary Fellows:
- The Revd Dr Thomas G. Weinandy, OFM Cap, MA, Ph.D, Since 2004
- Mr Daniel Hill, since 2007
- The Most Revd Vincent Nichols MA MEd STL, Archbishop of WestminsterArchbishop of WestminsterThe Archbishop of Westminster heads the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster, in England. The incumbent is the Metropolitan of the Province of Westminster and, as a matter of custom, is elected President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, and therefore de facto spokesman...
, since 2009
- Revd Brother Maurice Sheehan, since 2007
Director of Alumni & Development:
- Mr John E. J. James, MA (Oxon)
Past Wardens (Heads of House)
- + The Revd Dr Peter Peacock, OFM Cap, MA, D.Mus.
- + The Revd Fr Cassian Reel, OFM Cap, B.Litt., MA
- The Revd Dr Maurice Sheehan, OFM Cap D.Phil.
- The Revd Fr Thomas More, OFM Cap MA
- The Revd Dr Thomas G. Weinandy, OFM Cap, MA, PhD (1991–2004)
- Dr Nicholas James RichardsonNicholas RichardsonNicholas James Richardson was Warden of Greyfriars, Oxford from 2004 until 2007.Nicholas Richardson was educated at Magdalen College, Oxford . From 1960 until 1961 he was a pupil of G.E.M...
, B.Phil, MA, D.Phil (2004–2007)
Greyfriars Society
The Greyfriars Society was established in 1999 and is the official alumni organisation of Greyfriars. The main objectives of the society are to maintain and build relationships with the Hall's alumni and were also to raise money to enable Greyfriars to provide the best possible education for the growing student body.Patron:
- His Eminence Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of WestminsterArchbishop of WestminsterThe Archbishop of Westminster heads the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster, in England. The incumbent is the Metropolitan of the Province of Westminster and, as a matter of custom, is elected President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, and therefore de facto spokesman...
President:
- Prof. The Rt. Hon. The Lord Alton of Liverpool
The Director:
- John E. J. James
Deputy Directors:
- Rupert Abbott
- James Campbell