Stamford University (England)
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The University of Stamford was an academic institution founded in 1333 in
Stamford, Lincolnshire Stamford is a market town and civil parish in the South Kesteven district of Lincolnshire, England. The population at the 2011 census was 19,701 and estimated at 20,645 in 2019. The town has 17th- and 18th-century stone buildings, older timber ...
, by a group of students and tutors from the
University of Oxford The University of Oxford is a collegiate university, collegiate research university in Oxford, England. There is evidence of teaching as early as 1096, making it the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the List of oldest un ...
, including
Merton College Merton College (in full: The House or College of Scholars of Merton in the University of Oxford) is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. Its foundation can be traced back to the 1260s when Walter de Merton, chancellor ...
and Brasenose Hall. After lobbying by the University of Oxford, King
Edward III Edward III (13 November 1312 – 21 June 1377), also known as Edward of Windsor before his accession, was King of England from January 1327 until his death in 1377. He is noted for his military success and for restoring royal authority after t ...
suppressed the institution in 1335 and the tutors and scholars were returned to Oxford. All Oxford graduates until the 1820s were required to take a specific oath not to lecture in Stamford, along with oaths for graduates at both Oxford and the
University of Cambridge The University of Cambridge is a Public university, public collegiate university, collegiate research university in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge is the List of oldest universities in continuous operation, wo ...
not to recognise any further English universities.


History


Legendary precursor

According to John Hardyng, writing in the 1440s, the legendary British king Bladud studied in Athens before founding a university in Stamford. Later writers give possible dates of foundation in 863 BC, and dissolution by
Augustine of Canterbury Augustine of Canterbury (early 6th century in England, 6th century – most likely 26 May 604) was a Christian monk who became the first archbishop of Canterbury in the year 597. He is considered the "Apostle to the English". Augustine ...
in AD 605. The legend is reflected in
Edmund Spenser Edmund Spenser (; – 13 January 1599 Old Style and New Style dates, O.S.) was an English poet best known for ''The Faerie Queene'', an epic poem and fantastical allegory celebrating the House of Tudor, Tudor dynasty and Elizabeth I. He is re ...
's 1590 poem ''
The Faerie Queene ''The Faerie Queene'' is an English epic poem by Edmund Spenser. Books IIII were first published in 1590, then republished in 1596 together with books IVVI. ''The Faerie Queene'' is notable for its form: at over 36,000 lines and over 4,000 sta ...
'' in which he writes: However, no other evidence has been found of the existence of this institution.


Previous teaching in Stamford

In 1301,
Edward I Edward I (17/18 June 1239 – 7 July 1307), also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots (Latin: Malleus Scotorum), was King of England from 1272 to 1307. Concurrently, he was Lord of Ireland, and from 125 ...
granted to the Gilbertines a manor on the north side of St Peter's Street, which they called Sempringham Hall. In 1303 John Dalderby, Bishop of Lincoln, gave them licence to maintain at this hall "scholars ... studying the scriptures and philosophy". There is also inconclusive evidence that there may have been teaching at the Benedictine Priory of St Leonard, a cell of Durham Priory. The mother house also maintained Durham College, Oxford, and a few records survive recording payments from Durham, and from Monkwearmouth–Jarrow Abbey, to "scholars at Oxford and Stamford" - although in some cases these were then amended to remove mention of scholars at Stamford. There were also houses belonging to the
Carmelite The Order of the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel (; abbreviated OCarm), known as the Carmelites or sometimes by synecdoche known simply as Carmel, is a mendicant order in the Catholic Church for both men and women. Histo ...
, Dominican and
Franciscan The Franciscans are a group of related organizations in the Catholic Church, founded or inspired by the Italian saint Francis of Assisi. They include three independent Religious institute, religious orders for men (the Order of Friars Minor bei ...
orders of
friar A friar is a member of one of the mendicant orders in the Catholic Church. There are also friars outside of the Catholic Church, such as within the Anglican Communion. The term, first used in the 12th or 13th century, distinguishes the mendi ...
s in the town. A manuscript of a commentary by William of Wheatley also records that he taught in Stamford in 1309, but this could refer to teaching in a grammar school. Francis Peck and Hensley Henson have argued that the combined strength of these religious institutions constituted "a university in all but name"; however,
Hastings Rashdall Hastings Rashdall (24 June 1858 – 9 February 1924) was an English philosopher, Theology, theologian, historian, and Anglican priest. He expounded a theory known as Utilitarianism#Ideal utilitarianism, ideal utilitarianism, and he was a maj ...
considered this conclusion "essentially misleading".


Exodus from Oxford

In 1333, there was discord in Oxford, which seems to have been the result of conflict between students from Northern and Southern England. Following this, a group of students and tutors left Oxford in 1333 to found a rival college at Stamford. They were joined by more in 1334. Surviving records suggest that the masters were all or nearly all from
Northern England Northern England, or the North of England, refers to the northern part of England and mainly corresponds to the Historic counties of England, historic counties of Cheshire, Cumberland, County Durham, Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland, Westmo ...
. Their leader was William de Barnby, a Yorkshireman who had been fellow and bursar of
Merton College Merton College (in full: The House or College of Scholars of Merton in the University of Oxford) is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. Its foundation can be traced back to the 1260s when Walter de Merton, chancellor ...
.


Establishment in Stamford

Oxford antiquary Anthony Wood, writing in the 17th century, identified six places in Stamford which were said locally to have been academic colleges or halls: * Sempringham Hall on St Peter's Street, the hall of studies of the Gilbertines, "the oldest and chiefest" * Black Hall, built against All Saints' Church, and seeming to be "a place for the reception of Religious persons" * The Old Swan on St Mary's street, thought to have been a college or hall for scholars * Brazenose Hall in St Paul's parish, with "a great gate and a wicket" bearing an old brass knocker, and "a fair Refectory within" * A house in St George's parish, adjoining the parsonage, said to have been an ancient college for which no name is recorded * A street near St George's church, where one whole side consists of "such ancient buildings as our decayed Halls in Oxford have been"


Efforts at suppression

Oxford University petitioned Queen Philippa for help on , appealing that she and the king "let not the town of Oxford... be disinherited by the honour of another". Around the same time, similar petitions went to the
Bishop of Lincoln The Bishop of Lincoln is the Ordinary (officer), ordinary (diocesan bishop) of the Church of England Diocese of Lincoln in the Province of Canterbury. The present diocese covers the county of Lincolnshire and the unitary authority areas of Nort ...
and to King
Edward III Edward III (13 November 1312 – 21 June 1377), also known as Edward of Windsor before his accession, was King of England from January 1327 until his death in 1377. He is noted for his military success and for restoring royal authority after t ...
, referring to the "evil, which we think every way hurtful and pestilential, namely, the new assembly of scholars at the town of Stamford for university instructions", and appealing that "what was begun by improvident rashness may be quickly put an end to by the royal wisdom, and be a warning to future evil-doers". On 2 August 1334, the king ordered the Sheriff of Lincolnshire, John of Trehampton, to go to Stamford and inhibit everyone, on pain of forfeiture of all their property, from performing any scholastic acts there. A similar message was also sent to the Mayor of Oxford. However, on 1 November, he was required to write again, saying he understood that masters and scholars continued in scholastic acts in Stamford. On 7 January 1335, after apparent inaction, the king wrote to the sheriff to say he had appointed his own
secretary A secretary, administrative assistant, executive assistant, personal secretary, or other similar titles is an individual whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, program evalu ...
, William Trussell, to go with the sheriff and seize the goods of any disobedient clerks. In an undated letter, "the clerks living in the town of Stamford" informed the king that they had travelled to Stamford "by reason of many controversies, contests and fights ... in Oxford", and studied there "in greater quiet and peace by sufferance of the noble John earl of Warenne". They appealed that "the king would allow his liegemen to remain there under his protection". A copy of this letter survived in the register of the
Abbot of Peterborough A list of the abbots of the abbey of Peterborough, known until the late 10th century as " Medeshamstede". Abbots Sources *'Houses of Benedictine monks: The abbey of Peterborough', ''A History of the County of Northampton: Volume 2'' (1906), pp. ...
, suggesting he may have had a role in supporting the rebels. On 29 March 1335, the King issued a commission to Trussell to go to Stamford to suppress the students there, with an additional command to the sheriff to assist him. A number of students were expelled from Stamford, but Anthony Wood records that, after Trussell departed, the students were encouraged by the inhabitants of Stamford to return. On 26 July 1335, an inquisition took place at Stamford before Trussell, which was able to name 38 clerks still in Stamford. The list includes seventeen Masters of Arts including William of Barnby; a
Bachelor of Arts A Bachelor of Arts (abbreviated B.A., BA, A.B. or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is the holder of a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the liberal arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts deg ...
; five local parish priests; fifteen students (including the rector of
Stanhope, County Durham Stanhope is a market town and civil parish in the County Durham district, in the ceremonial county of Durham, England. It lies on the River Wear between Eastgate and Frosterley, in the north-east of Weardale. The main A689 road over the ...
); and "Philipus le maunciple atte Brasenose".


Legacy

Robert de Stratford Robert de Stratford ( c. 1292 – 9 April 1362) was an English bishop and was one of Edward III's principal ministers. Early life Stratford was born into the landed Stratford family of Stratford-on-Avon around 1292. His father was another ...
, chancellor of both England and Oxford University, wrote to the masters of
Cambridge University The University of Cambridge is a Public university, public collegiate university, collegiate research university in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge is the List of oldest universities in continuous operation, wo ...
around 1337 regarding William of Barnby, whom he identified as "the principal instigator of the dangerous schism", and warning them not to grant degrees to him, saying that "if the said university of Stamford had lasted, it would have been to the disadvantage and dishonour of both universities".
Master of Arts A Master of Arts ( or ''Artium Magister''; abbreviated MA or AM) is the holder of a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is usually contrasted with that of Master of Science. Those admitted to the degree have ...
students at Oxford were obliged to take an oath, which remained in place until 1827: The 'Stamford oath' (along with a similar, shorter oath at Cambridge) was used to maintain the long duopoly of Oxford and Cambridge. The antiquary Francis Peck in 1727 published annals of Stamford called ''Academia Tertia Anglicana'' (Latin for 'the third English university').


Brazenose Hall

The only name on the list of scholars at the inquisition in 1335 given further description is "Philippus le manciple atte Brasenose". Arthur Francis Leach and Falconer Madan take this to mean that a Brasenose Hall existed in Stamford as part of the nascent university; presumably formed by scholars from Brasenose Hall, Oxford, whose site would later become
Brasenose College, Oxford Brasenose College (BNC) is one of the Colleges of the University of Oxford, constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. It began as Brasenose Hall in the 13th century, before being founded as a college in 1509. The l ...
. Leach identifies this hall with a building known as Brazenose HallWhile the Oxford college has settled on the spelling 'Brasenose', Stamford uses the form 'Brazenose'. or "The College", on St Paul's Street, Stamford; though there is no other evidence of use of this name before 1559, when a lease mentions "a messuage called Brassen Nose in St. Paul’s
arish ʻArish or el-ʻArīsh ( ' ) is the capital and largest city of the North Sinai Governorate of Egypt, as well as the largest city on the Sinai Peninsula, lying on the Mediterranean coast northeast of Cairo and west of the Egypt–Gaza border ...
with all houses, barns, stables and other buildings". Oxford antiquary Anthony Wood, writing in the 17th century, recorded that the building carried the name of Brasenose or Brasen nose, and had 'a fair refectory therein' and 'a great gate and a wicket; upon which wicket is a face or head of old cast brass with a ring through the nose thereof'. This medieval building, having fallen into disrepair, was demolished in 1688, leaving a gate identified as dating from the early 14th century and bearing an ancient brass knocker. Materials from the old building were used to construct a house on the site known as Brazenose Hall, or The College, which became the town workhouse before being demolished in 1822. The site, including the gate, then became the garden of the adjoining early 18th-century house, which took on the name "Brazenose House". In 1890, Brasenose College, Oxford purchased the house in order to obtain the knocker, which was suggested to be the original Oxford 'brazen nose', removed to Stamford by 14th century Brasenose Hall scholars when they joined the University of Stamford. The knocker, which was assessed as dating from the 12th century, was removed from the gate and is now mounted above the high table in the college's dining hall in Oxford; a replica was placed on the gateway in Stamford in 1961. The site, including the 18th-century house, was leased by the Oxford college to the private Brazenose School for Girls, then in 1929 was purchased by Stamford School and became part of the school site, giving its name to one of the school's senior houses. The "Site of Brazenose College" is a
scheduled monument In the United Kingdom, a scheduled monument is a nationally important archaeological site or historic building, given protection against unauthorised change. The various pieces of legislation that legally protect heritage assets from damage, visu ...
and the gate and retaining walls of the college are Grade I listed.


See also

*
Medieval university A medieval university was a corporation organized during the Middle Ages for the purposes of higher education. The first Western European institutions generally considered to be universities were established in present-day Italy, including the K ...
*
List of medieval universities The list of Medieval university, medieval universities comprises University, universities (more precisely, ''studium generale, studia generalia'') which existed in Europe during the Middle Ages.Rüegg 1992, pp. XIX–XX It also includes ...
* University of Northampton (13th century) *
Third-oldest university in England debate The third-oldest university in England debate has been carried out since the mid-19th century, with rival claims being made originally by Durham University as the third-oldest officially recognised university (1832) and the third to confer degre ...


Notes


References

{{Defunct universities and colleges in the United Kingdom 1333 establishments in England 14th century in England Ancient universities Stamford, University of Educational institutions established in the 14th century Education in Stamford, Lincolnshire Edward III of England History of the University of Oxford