Colleges and halls of the University of Oxford
Brasenose College

College name	The King's Hall and College of Brasenose
Latin name	aula regia et collegium aenei nasi
Named after	Bronze door knocker
Established	1509
Sister college	Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge
Principal	Prof. Roger Cashmore
JCR president	George Lambert
Undergraduates	360
HCR president	Charlie Furness-Smith
Graduates	150
Location	Radcliffe Square
Location of Brasenose College within central OxfordCoordinates: 51°45′12″N 1°15′17″W / 51.753206, -1.254731
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Brasenose College, originally Brazen Nose College (in full: The King's Hall and College of Brasenose, often referred to by the abbreviation BNC), is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. The University of Oxford comprises 38 Colleges and 6 religious Permanent Private Halls (PPHs which are autonomous self-governing A Permanent Private Hall at the University of Oxford is an educational institution within the university &mdash not as a constituent college but able to present students for The University of Oxford (informally "Oxford University" or simply "Oxford" located in the city of Oxford, Oxfordshire, England is the Most of the colleges forming the University of Cambridge and University of Oxford are paired into sister colleges across the two universities Gonville and Caius College Cambridge is a constituent College of Cambridge University, one of the world's most academically respected institutions Roger John Cashmore CMG is Principal of Brasenose College Oxford and Professor of Experimental Physics in the University of Oxford. In some universities in the United Kingdom — particularly collegiate universities such as Oxford, Cambridge and Durham — the academic body In some universities in the United Kingdom — particularly collegiate universities such as Oxford, Cambridge and Durham — the academic body Radcliffe Square is a square in central Oxford, England. It is completely surrounded by historic Oxford University and college buildings Oxford is currently bidding for the 2010 Wikimania Conference Oxford () is a city, and the County town of Oxfordshire, A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. The University of Oxford comprises 38 Colleges and 6 religious Permanent Private Halls (PPHs which are autonomous self-governing The University of Oxford (informally "Oxford University" or simply "Oxford" located in the city of Oxford, Oxfordshire, England is the The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located As of 2006, it has an estimated financial endowment of £98m. A financial endowment is a Transfer of Money or Property donated to an Institution, usually with the stipulation that it be invested ^[1]

History

The College was founded^[2] in 1509 by a lawyer, Sir Richard Sutton, of Prestbury, Cheshire, and the Bishop of Lincoln, William Smyth. Sir Richard Sutton (d c 1524 was an English lawyer He was founder with William Smyth bishop of Lincoln, of Brasenose College Oxford, and the Prestbury is a Village, Civil parish and Ecclesiastical parish in Cheshire, England. See also List of bishops of Lincoln and precursor offices The Bishop of Lincoln heads the ( Anglican) William Smyth (or Smith) (c 1460 &ndash 2 January 1514 was Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield from 1493 to 1496 and then Bishop of Lincoln until Smyth provided the money for the college's foundation, and Sutton acquired the property. It was built on the site of Brasenose Hall, one of the medieval Oxford institutions which originally existed just as a lodging house, but which had grown to become a seat of learning. Brasenose College, originally Brazen Nose College (in full The King's Hall and College of Brasenose, often referred to by the abbreviation BNC The college still maintains traditional ties to its official Visitor, the Bishop of Lincoln. See also List of bishops of Lincoln and precursor offices The Bishop of Lincoln heads the ( Anglican)

A copy of the original Brasenose Knocker is mounted on a door in Stamford.

The name "Brasenose" is thought to originate from a brazen (bronze) door knocker in the shape of a nose;^[3] the nose-shaped door knocker which hangs above the high table of the main hall of Brasenose College is thought to be the original door knocker belonging to Brasenose Hall. Bronze is any of a broad range of Copper alloys, usually with Tin as the main additive but sometimes with other elements such as Phosphorus A door knocker is an item of Door furniture that allows people outside a House to alert those inside to their presence In the 1330s, a group of students left Oxford for Stamford in Lincolnshire led by a student from Brasenose Hall, and are thought to have taken the door knocker with them. Oxford is currently bidding for the 2010 Wikimania Conference Oxford () is a city, and the County town of Oxfordshire, Stamford is located 100 miles north of London just off the A1 which was the old Great North Road leading to York and Edinburgh. Lincolnshire (abbreviated Lincs) is a county in the east of England. In 1890, a house in Stamford named "Brazenose" bearing a 12th-century door knocker in the shape of a nose was put on sale. The house was purchased by the college for the sake of the door knocker, which was removed and placed in the hall, believed to have been returned to its rightful home. The house, and remains of the Hall, are now part of the estate of Stamford School. Stamford School is an English public school situated in the market town of Stamford, Lincolnshire. Interest in the college's history by its members is still strong, and in 2006, Brasenose students made a pilgrimage to Lincoln and Stamford. Lincoln (ˈlɪŋkən is a Cathedral city and County town of Lincolnshire, England. Stamford is located 100 miles north of London just off the A1 which was the old Great North Road leading to York and Edinburgh.

An alternative theory is that the name is a corruption of brasenhuis (brewhouse), but this is not widely accepted, and the college uses the "nose" as an informal symbol.

Location and buildings

Brasenose faces the west side of Radcliffe Square opposite the Radcliffe Camera in the centre of Oxford. Radcliffe Square is a square in central Oxford, England. It is completely surrounded by historic Oxford University and college buildings References in popular culture J R R Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings, remarked that the building resembled Sauron The north side is defined by Brasenose Lane, while the south side reaches the High Street. Brasenose Lane runs east-west in central Oxford, England, between Turl Street and Radcliffe Square. The High Street in Oxford, England runs between Carfax, generally recognized as To the west is Lincoln College. Lincoln College (in full The College of the Blessed Mary and All Saints Lincoln) is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford Although not located on Turl Street the college has links with the three Turl Street colleges (Lincoln, Jesus, and Exeter). Turl Street is a street in Oxford, England. It is located in the city centre linking Broad Street at the north and High Street at the south Jesus College (in full Jesus College in the University of Oxford of Queen Elizabeth's Foundation) is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Exeter College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England and the 4th oldest college of the University

Brasenose College in the 1670s

The main college site^[4] comprises three quads, the original Front Quad, the small second quad affectionately known as the Deer Park, and the large New Quad, as well as collection of smaller houses facing Radcliffe Square and the High Street. In Architecture, a quadrangle is a space or courtyard usually square or rectangular in plan the sides of which are entirely or mainly occupied by parts of a large building

The original college buildings comprised a single two storey quad, incorporating the original kitchen of Brasenose Hall on the south side. In the seventeenth century a third floor was added to the quad to form the current Front Quad. A separate chapel was also built to the south, connected to the quad by a library built over a cloister as shown in a 1670 print, thus enclosing the Deer Park. A cloister (from Latin claustrum) is a part of Cathedral, Monastic and Abbey architecture The cloister was filled in to make rooms around 1807. New Quad was designed by Jackson and finished in 1911, replacing a number of existing buildings. Sir Thomas Graham Jackson 1st Baronet RA ( 21 December 1835 – 7 November 1924) was one of the most distinguished English The current site was completed in 1961 with new buildings designed by the architects Powell and Moya. Sir Arnold Joseph Philip Powell ( 15 March 1921 &ndash 5 May 2003 in London) usually known as Philip Powell, was a ground-breaking John Hidalgo Moya, sometimes known as Jacko Moya, (born May 5 1920; died 1994 was a famous American -born Architect who worked largely

The college also has a large undergraduate annexe developed from Frewin Hall in the 1940s, and a graduate annexe shared with St Cross College was completed in 1995. St Cross College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. A second graduate annexe, Hollybush Row, is under construction (2007).

Student life

Brasenose College Boat Club (BNCBC) is popularly held to be the oldest boat club in the world; this is impossible to verify but BNCBC is certainly the oldest collegiate boat club and took part in the first ever head race, beating Jesus College Boat Club on that occasion. Brasenose College Boat Club ( BNCBC) is the rowing club of Brasenose College Oxford in Oxford, England. Jesus College Boat Club (commonly abbreviated to JCBC) is a rowing club for members of Jesus College Oxford

Brasenose College Rugby Football Club proudly associates itself with William Webb Ellis, the inventor of the game, founder of BNCRFC, the club's first captain, graduate of the college and all-round good egg. William Webb Ellis (24 November 1806 &ndash 24 January 1872 was a English Anglican Clergyman. Webb-Ellis's 'outside-the-box' approach has underpinned the tactical philosophies of a long and illustrious line of BNCRFC captains.

The JCR plays a central part in the life of the undergraduate community. Offering social, recreational and welfare support to the students, the elected committee addresses many aspects of student life and liaises with the governing body and HCR representatives. A weekly report is collated and distributed on the mailing-list by official JCR Scribe and Vice-President.

The college also prides itself on its annual summer arts festival, first staged in 1994, involving various plays, pantos, comedy evenings and musical performances. Pantomime (informally panto) (not to be confused with a Mime artist, referring to a theatrical performer of mime is a performance genre traditionally found

Coat of Arms

The Coat of Arms

Brasenose College's coat of arms is quite complex, since it incorporates the personal arms of the founders and the arms of the See of Lincoln. A coat of arms or armorial bearings (often just arms for short in European tradition is a design belonging to a particular person (or group of people The Diocese of Lincoln forms part of the Province of Canterbury in England. ^[5]

In heraldic terminology: Tierced in pale: (1) Argent, a chevron sable between three roses gules seeded or, barbed vert (for Smyth); (2) or, an escutcheon of the arms of the See of Lincoln (gules, two lions of England in pale or, on a chief azure Our Lady crowned seated on a tombstone issuant from the chief, in her dexter arm the Infant Jesus, in her sinister arm a sceptre, all or) ensigned with a mitre proper; (3) quarterly, first and fourth argent, a chevron between three bugle-horns stringed sable; second and third argent, a chevron between three crosses crosslet sable (for Sutton). Heraldry in its most general sense encompasses all matters relating to the duties and responsibilities of officers of arms. ^[6]

Because of the complexity of the arms they are not suitable for use on items such as the college crested tie, where the nose is used instead.

College prayers

The College Prayer

The college prayer is read by the principal or a fellow at evensong on Sundays during term and at gaudies. ^[7]

Almighty and heavenly Father, we desire thy loving-kindness upon this, our well loved Society. We implore thy blessing on those of its members who now serve thee in their several callings. Strengthen them, O Lord, to serve thee as thou deservest, and, as thou hast called them to thy service, make them worthy of their calling. And we keep for ever before thee in grateful remembrance of their lives and their sacrifice, those of our body who fell in the Wars; and into thy hands we commend them, thou God with whom do live the spirits of just men made perfect. And we pray for ourselves, that we may learn here to know and do thy will; that through thy protection, both here and ever, we may be preserved in body and soul, through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. O Lord God, in whose name are gathered here the memorials of many generations, we give thanks for all former members of this College, who have served thee with faithful labour in thy Church and Kingdom; as thou didst enable them to add their portion to thy work, so teach and strengthen us, we pray thee, to do the tasks awaiting us in this our generation; through him who offered himself to do thy will and finish thy work, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O eternal God, the Resurrection and the Life of all them that believe in thee, trust in thee, and serve thee; thou that art always to be praised, as well for the dead as those that are alive; We give thee most hearty thanks for our Founders and Benefactors, by whose Bounty and Charity we are brought up to religion and the studies of good learning, and particularly for William Smyth and Richard Sutton our Founders; beseeching thee, that we may so well use these thy blessings to the praise and honour of thy holy Name, that at last, we, with them, may be brought to the immortal glory of the Resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.

Individual benefactors are commemorated in an annual pattern, with the founders being commemorated (as shown above) on the first Sunday of Michaelmas Term, and at all gaudies. Michaelmas term is the first Academic term of the academic years of the following British and Irish Universities: University

Grace to be said before Dinner

The preprandial grace^[8] is read by the Bible Clerk at Formal Hall. Formal Hall or Formal Meal is the traditional meal held at some of the older universities in the United Kingdom at which students dress in Formal attire

Oculi omnium spectant in Te, Deus! Tu das illis escas tempore opportuno. Aperis manum Tuam et imples omne animal Tua benedictione. Mensae caelestis nos participes facias, Deus, Rex aeternae gloriae. Amen.

The eyes of all look to Thee, O God! You give them food in due season. You openest Your hand and fill every living thing with Your blessing. Make us participants at the heavenly banquet, O God, King of eternal glory. Amen.

Grace after Dinner

The grace after dinner is only read on special occasions, and the list of benefactors included in this grace is quite variable.

Qui nos creavit, redemit et pavit, sit benedictus in aeternum. Deus, exaudi orationem nostram. Agimus Tibi gratias, Pater coelestis, pro Gulielmo Smyth episcopo et Ricardo Sutton milite, Fundatoribus nostris; pro Alexandro Nowel et Jocosa Frankland, aliisque Benefactoribus nostris; humiliter Te precantes ut eorum numerum benignissime adaugeas. Ecclesiam Catholicam, et populum Christianum custodi. Haereses et errores omnes extirpa. Elizabetha Regina nostra et subditos ejus defende; Pacem da et conserva per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

People associated with the College

Main article: List of people associated with Brasenose College, Oxford

Michael Palin

David Cameron

Notable former students of the college have included politicians, scientists, writers, entertainers and academics. This is an incomplete list of notable people associated with Brasenose College Oxford. Michael Edward Palin, CBE (born 5 May 1943 is an English Comedian, actor writer and Television presenter best known for being one of the members David William Donald Cameron (born 9 October 1966 is a British Politician and the current leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of Her Majesty's Politics Politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions Science (from the Latin scientia, meaning " Knowledge " or "knowing" is the effort to discover, and increase human understanding Literature is the Art of written works Literally translated the word means "acquaintance with letters" (from Latin littera letter See also Entertainment (disambiguation and The Entertainer (disambiguation Entertainment is an activity designed to give people Perhaps the best known living Brasenose alumni are David Cameron, Leader of the Opposition, and the comedian Michael Palin, both of whom are honorary fellows. David William Donald Cameron (born 9 October 1966 is a British Politician and the current leader of the Conservative Party and Leader of Her Majesty's The Leader of the Opposition (sometimes known as the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons) in the United Kingdom is the politician who leads Michael Edward Palin, CBE (born 5 May 1943 is an English Comedian, actor writer and Television presenter best known for being one of the members Earlier alumni include Henry Addington, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, William Webb Ellis, often credited with the invention of Rugby football, William Golding, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig, and Robert Runcie, Archbishop of Canterbury. Henry Addington 1st Viscount Sidmouth, PC (30 May 1757 &ndash 15 February 1844 was a British statesman and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the political leader of the United Kingdom William Webb Ellis (24 November 1806 &ndash 24 January 1872 was a English Anglican Clergyman. Rugby football (usually just " rugby " may refer to a number of sports through history descended from a common form of Football developed at Rugby School Sir William Gerald Golding ( 19 September, 1911 – 19 June, 1993) was a British novelist poet and Nobel Prize for Literature The Nobel Prize in Literature (Nobelpriset i litteratur is awarded annually since 1901 to an author from any country who has in the words from the will of Alfred Field Marshal Douglas Haig 1st Earl Haig, KT, GCB, OM, GCVO, Robert Alexander Kennedy Runcie Baron Runcie of Cuddesdon MC PC ( 2 October 1921 &ndash 11 July 2000) was Archbishop The Archbishop of Canterbury is the chief bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the

See also: Alumni of Brasenose College, Oxford and Fellows of Brasenose College, Oxford

Fictional Brasenose

• Brasenose College is featured as Lonsdale College in the Inspector Morse novels and television adaptations. Fictional colleges are perennially popular in modern novels allowing the author much greater license when describing the more intimate activities of an Oxford college Detective Chief Inspector Endeavour Morse is a Fictional character in a series of thirteen Detective novels by British Author Colin It appears both as Brazenface College and under its own name in Cuthbert Bede's 19th century comic novel Verdant Green, an Oxford Freshman. Fictional colleges are perennially popular in modern novels allowing the author much greater license when describing the more intimate activities of an Oxford college Edward Bradley (1827–1889 was an English Novelist and Clergyman. The Adventures of Mr Verdant Green is a novel by Cuthbert M Bede, a Pseudonym of Edward Bradley (1827–1889

• In The Science of Discworld III: Darwin's Watch by Terry Pratchett a reference is made to "those bastards over at Braseneck College", probably a parody of Brasenose. The Science of Discworld III Darwin's Watch is a book set on the Discworld, by Terry Pratchett, Ian Stewart and Jack Cohen. Terence David John Pratchett, OBE (born 28 April 1948 is an English fantasy, Science fiction, and children's author.

• Thomas Love Peacock in his novel 'Crotchet Castle' (1831) has one of his characters say: 'the Friar is gone, and his learning with him. Thomas Love Peacock ( October 18, 1785 - January 23, 1866) was an English satirist and Author. Nothing of him is left but the immortal nose, which, when his brazen head had tumbled to pieces, crying "Time's Past," was the only palpable fragment among its minutely pulverised atoms, and which is still resplendent over the portals of its cognominal college. That nose, sir, is the only thing to which I shall take off my hat, in all this Babylon of buried literature. '

• Parts of Doomsday Book (novel) by Connie Willis take place in a not-too-distant Brasenose College. Doomsday Book is a 1992 Science fiction novel by American Author Connie Willis. Constance Elaine Trimmer Willis (born 31 December 1945) is an American Science fiction writer

References

External links

• Official HCR website
• JCR website
• Virtual tour of Brasenose College
• Brasenose Arts Festival website