The tree-lined avenue of St Giles' is named after the Norman St Giles' Church in front of you. The area lies outside the original city wall and development began in the 12th century as Oxford's population grew. Some early properties were farms but what you see now is a fine collection of colleges and houses built over six centuries. No fewer than 44 of the buildings are listed (meaning they are of architectural or historic interest). Among the oldest are the 15th century buildings of St Bernard's College, now part of St John's College.
Oxford's martyrs
Behind you, in the distance, is the Martyrs' Memorial and St Mary Magdalen Church. Built in 1841-3 by Sir George Gilbert Scott, the Memorial commemorates the Protestant Bishops, Latimer, Ridley and Cranmer, who were executed for heresy in 1555-56 (the exact location in nearby Broad Street is marked by an area cobbled with stones forming a simple cross). The Martyr's Aisle of St Mary Magdalen Church (18420 also serves as a memorial.
Of pubs and literary legends
The Lamb and Flag has been a pub since c. 1695 but the building was re-fronted in the early 1800s The gateway leads into Museum Road from where it is a short walk to the University Museum of Natural History, the Pitt-Rivers Museum and the University Parks. Across St Giles', you can see the
Eagle and Child, a pub since c. 1684.
Members of the Oxford literary group, The Inklings, which included CS Lewis (author of The Chronicles of Narnia), JRR Tolkien and others, met in both pubs from the 1930s-60s, It was here that Tolkien first read out instalments of The Lord of the Rings.
St Giles' Fair
For two days in early September, the road is closed to traffic for the St Giles' Fair. First recorded in 1624, the fair became a huge attraction in the 19th century, with many visitors arriving by excursion trains. Critics have tried to put a stop to the fair because of the noise and disruption but it continues to flourish, and you can still enjoy fairground rides overlooking some of Oxford's finest historic buildings.
Find out more...
Continue further up the road to read more about St Giles' or visit Little Clarendon Street to read more about the history of the city and university. See also www.oxfordexplore.com
St John's College - and an ancient mystery
Founded in 1555 by Sir Thomas White, the College now dominates this side of St Giles'. It originally took over the buildings of St Bernard's College which was dissolved with the other religious houses in 1539. You can still see the stone forecourt wall from the original building. St John's has expanded up St Giles' with buildings from the 16th to 21st centuries
and is one of the wealthiest Oxford colleges. During the building of the Kendrew Quad in 2008, 30 skeletons were found buried here. Scientists are still trying to establish whether they were Viking raiders or Danish settlers massacred in 1000.
Gollum, Frodo, Gandalf, Aslan
Some of the greatest stories ever written were first heard over a pint of beer at the Eagle and Child pub over the road, nicknamed the 'Bird and Baby'.
( photo captions )
Four female wrestlers - an unusual spectacle - posing before a large crowd at St Giles' Fair
J.R.R. Tolkien in the garden at Merton College
The excavation of Kendrew Quad, St John's College
Looking south towards Collins' helter-skelter at St Giles' Fair, 1907.
Comments 0 comments