Midlands

Oxford

In the twelfth century

Oxford grew up at a ford over the Thames and is a walled royal borough. Robert d'Oilly's castle of 1071, with its stone tower of St George, guards the west of the town. The Augustinian priory of St Frideswide (refounded 1122) and Osney Abbey (1129) are major landholders. Henry I builds a royal house outside the North Gate, later Beaumont Palace, and Richard I is born there in 1157. In December 1142 the Empress Matilda escapes the besieged castle across the snow and frozen river. The town's crafts are organised early: both the weavers and the cordwainers (shoemakers) have guilds by 1130. Teaching has gone on in the town for some time, and schools grow quickly after 1167, when English scholars are barred from Paris. A university in the formal sense is only just forming.

Landmark: St George's Tower of Oxford Castle (standing; built with the castle from 1071).

Known for

Woollen cloth weaving (guild by 1130)
Shoemaking and leather (cordwainers' guild by 1130)
Market for the upper Thames valley
Serving scholars and royal visitors (late century)

Caveats (confidence: medium)

The origin of the university is uncertain. There is evidence of teaching before 1167, but no single founding date, and no colleges existed in the 12th century (the first date from the 1260s). Gerald of Wales's public reading at Oxford around 1187 shows scholars were present, but 'university' should be avoided for this period. St George's Tower may be earlier than the castle (the dating is debated). The date Henry II confirmed the merchant guild's charter is not certain.

Sources: british-history.ac.uk · british-history.ac.uk · en.wikipedia.org · ox.ac.uk

Playtest: in development, may be reset

In the playtest world now

What the test world shows at Oxford, as of Year 12, winter, month 10, day 26. About the playtest

Last season's market

Autumn, year 12. Each good's price at the close of last season, against its usual price in this town: dear, usual or cheap.

Usual: Pick, Ox cart, Pit saw, Adze, Axe, Awl, Iron hammer, Woollen cloth