The city of Oxford historically was an important port on the river Thames, a city steeped in history, fine architecture and a bastion in the quest of understanding and truth. Indeed the city of Oxford coat of arms motto is “Fortis est Veritas” either translated to “Truth is Strength” or “Strength in Truth” – whichever way you look at it, the motto symbolises a city whose name resonates the world over with excellence and culture and home to the oldest university in the English speaking world. River cruises permits a variety of cruise style along the river from private charters to modest self hire boats.

 

Architecturally the city has every single major styles of British architecture displayed from the Saxon era onwards. The Oxford martyrs (Bishop Hugh Latimer, Nicolas Ridley and Archbishop Thomas Cranmer) were tried for heresy and burnt at the stake in 1555 on Broad Street for their religious beliefs, a plaque commemorates these men who spearheaded 1 of the initial movements for religious freedom in the country. Saxon Tower is the oldest developing in Oxford and offers an excellent view of the city and consists of the cells that held the Oxford martyrs in its bowels as properly as the pulpit that hosted a sermon by John Wesley.

 

Oxford experienced rapid industrial growth in the early 20th century and the Morris Motor firm produced cars, in the 1970′s over 20,000 men and women worked at this and associated factories, despite the fact that the organization is smaller now – it produces the successful new mini’s for BMW. The city is diversified economically, but driven by the Universities and tourism, Oxford is a magnet for tourists drawing in over 9 million visitors in 2009. A few independent retailers have remained in the city centre for centuries such as – Boswells which was founded in 1738.

 

Hire vehicle in Oxford to explore the well-known university, the oldest and most renowned universities in the English speaking world, formed in the 12th century it has been home to minds that seek to much better recognize the world employing the finest resources available. A decree stated that students had to live in approved residences – St Edmund Hall (c 1225) is the only remaining Alurian home from the 12th century period, with colleges taking their location – colleges such as University College (c 1249), Balliol (c 1263) and Merton (1264). The colleges established at a time when Greek philosophy had a major impact on European ideology. The church encouraged the colleges to locate frequent ground between Greek philosophy and Christian theology.

 

Bodleian Library was built between 1602 and 1620 and forms component of a group of ancient buildings in the university that consists of the university’s oldest teaching and examination room, the Divinity School which was built between 1427 and 1488.

 

The Oxford University museum of Natural history has a vast collection of entomological, geological, mineralogical and zoological displays, whilst the Museum of the History of Science has an outstanding collection of scientific instruments – with 10,000 objects which includes sundials, quadrants, microscopes, telescopes and cameras. The Ashmolean museum has been refurbished to offer innovative displays for its remarkable collection with themed galleries exploring art and archaeology which includes Egyptian, Anglo Saxon material and Chinese art, the museum forms portion of a research and teaching department of Oxford university.

 

Oxford Brookes is the city’s second university, it was transformed from Oxford School of Art, to Oxford Polytechnic and gained a university charter in 1991 and has been voted as 1 of the greatest new universities of the last ten years.

 

As a city which has a powerful emphasis on studying, Oxford has been property to some important authors, such as C S Lewis, T E Lawrence, J R R Tolkien, Oscar Wilde, Lewis Carol, Michael Innes, Colin Dexter and Philip Pullman.

Oxford University History