Oxford

The Bridge of Sighs, Oxford

Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire in England. Despite a population of little over 120,000 it includes two Universities and has a famous history in arts and science.

Geography

The town is built on where the river Cherwell runs into the River Thames (known as the Isis in Oxford, short for the original Thamesis). The centre includes many of the Oxford University buildings to the east and more city orientated buildings to the west of the centre, including the railway station.

Suburbs of Oxford include Headington (location of Oxford Brookes University), Cowley (location of the BMW motor works), Iffley, Kennington, Osney, Hinksey, Jericho and Kidlington.

University

The University was organised there soon after 1167, perhaps as a result of a migration of students from Paris. The first colleges were founded in the thirteenth century (University, 1249; Balliol, 1263 and Merton, 1264) and Oxford rose to equal status with the great medieval universities.

Numbering among its scholars the philosopher and scientist Roger Bacon, and Sir Thomas More. The esteemed writer J.R.R. Tolkien was an Oxford professor.

A centre of Royalism in the seventeenth century, Oxford declined during the eighteen century but was revived in the 1800's, particularly as a result of a renaissance in religious thought. The University includes the Bodleian Library.

Sport

In common with most of the United Kingdom, soccer is the dominant sport in Oxford, most notably the professional club Oxford United.

Other notable clubs include the rugby league club, Oxford Cavaliers and the speedway team.

History

Oxford was a base for Royalist forces (Cavaliers in the English Civil War).