Balliol College, Oxford

History

Balliol College is one of the oldest Colleges in Oxford.  About 1260, or perhaps a few years before, John de Balliol, the powerful Lord of Barnard Castle, was involved in a territorial dispute with Walter Kirkham, Bishop of Durham.  Balliol, impatient, insulted the Bishop, who imposed a penance on him.

According to the Chroniclers, he had to submit to a public whipping at Durham Cathedral door, and he was also required to carry out a substantial act of charity.  This he did by renting a house just outside the Oxford town wall, and maintain in it some poor scholars to whom he paid a dole of a few pence a week.

The House stood roughly where the present Master's Lodgings are, looking across Horsemonger Street, now Broad Street, and the ditch or moat to the city wall. The date of this is traditionally reckoned as 1263.

When John Balliol died in 1269, his widow Dervorguilla took on the role of Patroness with enthusiasm and generosity.  She continued to give financial support, put the arrangements on a permanent basis by the formulation of statutes (1282) and gave the Scholars a house "New Balliol Hall" sited near where the present Chapel is.  In 1284 there were sixteen Scholars or Fellows.

It was during the 19th Century that Balliol rose to prominence by vigorously promoting university reform and above all by pursuing academic excellence in a liberal environment at the instigation of John Parsons who was Master from 1798 - 1819. Successive Masters continued this pursuit of excellence including the charismatic Benjamin Jowett, after whom the newest accommodation is named. 

Food & beverage

Full English Breakfast is available in the Hall, on the Broad Street site, between 8am and 9am daily.  The College Hall was built in 1877 by Waterhouse. This magnificent building with its organ loft and Willis Organ, 1885, is used daily by the students and seats up to 220 for feasts and banquets.

Guests are welcome to use the informal College Buttery Bar, which is situated to the right of the steps to the Hall.  The Buttery Bar offers a wide range of beers, spirits, and wines as well as soft drinks.  Normal Hours of opening are:  Monday to Saturday 12noon to 2pm; Monday to Friday 6pm to 8pm. 

Other facilities

Internet access is available in college bedrooms.  The porters will provide access details on arrival