The Collections

The Archives hold the minutes of the Brasenose Governing Body, which date almost back to our foundation. The ‘Vice-Principal’s Registers’ comprise the longest single series of records in the Archives, the sequence beginning in 1539 and continuing to the present day in over forty volumes (in Latin until 1767; now in loose paper format). They record every major and many of the minor decisions taken in the history of the College, from the election of Principals and the decision to defy the authorities occupying Oxford in 1648, to more domestic matters. We also hold the 16th century foundation charter, and College statutes.

We hold accounts from 1516. These include an extensive collection of tradesmen’s bills.

College estates including early title deeds, royal charters, and manorial court records (e.g. maps, surveys, valuations of property and tenants). These date from the 12th century onwards.

• Since its foundation in 1509 Brasenose has owned over two hundred estates or smaller properties in some twenty counties throughout England. Please see our pages about College Estates to find out what type of information we hold about particular places and properties.

College buildings including maps, plans and architectural drawings (many by Sir Thomas Graham Jackson).

• The earliest buildings at Brasenose date from medieval times, and the Archives can be particularly helpful to architectural historians. Find out more here.

Social history of College including records of student clubs and societies.

• These cover debating, vocational, literary, dramatic, and musical societies. The three dining clubs include the Phoenix, which was founded in the 1780s. The records of the Brasenose College Boat Club (one of the oldest in the world) date back to 1837.

Records of students and fellows, though these are often fewer than expected. We also hold some memorabilia and personal papers of former Principals, fellows and students.

• Our main sources of reference for members from 1509-1909 are the Brasenose College Register 1509-1909 (Oxford: Blackwell, 1909), and Joseph Foster’s Alumni Oxonienses 1715-1886 (1888) and Alumni Oxonienses 1500-1714 (1891). These are all available freely online. We hold a small collection of personal papers of some former members, including Walter Pater, Cuthbert Ottaway, and John Buchan. Some of our more well-known members may also have an entry in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.

Before the twentieth century, many staff members who were regarded traditionally as quintessential College servants, like the scouts, were often employed by the students themselves rather than the College.  This means that where they do appear in the records, they are usually recorded under job title instead of individual name. After the First World War, the servants become more visible and records of their social as well as working activities can be found.  College Servants’ sporting and other clubs were particularly prevalent in the inter-war period. Records include:

• Occasional bills and accounts for servants’ wages from 1650
• Records of servants’ salaries 1867-1916; 1900-1916
• Minutes and papers of the Brasenose Servants’ Volunteer Fire Brigade 1890-1953
• Records of the Brasenose College Servants Amalgamated Clubs 1930s-1950s
• The Brazen Nose (the College magazine, 1909 onwards) records the activities of the Servants’ Clubs and sometimes includes references to individual staff on leaving.
• First World War Roll of Service 1914-1915

The list of benefactions bestowed upon the College begin with those of the two Founders, William Smyth and Sir Richard Sutton. Other historical benefactors include:

• Hugh Oldham
• Elizabeth Morley
• John Claymond
• Humphrey Ogle
• Alexander Nowell and Queen Elizabeth I
• John Lord Mordaunt
• Joyce Frankland
• Samuel Radcliffe
• Sarah Alston, Duchess of Somerset
• William Hulme

For more information about benefactors and benefactions a useful source is the Brasenose Quatercentenary Monographs, Vol IV, ‘An Account of the Benefactions Bestowed upon the College’ by A. J. Butler (Blackwell, Oxford, 1909).

In 1898, Herbert Hurst, an Oxford antiquary, was employed to calendar the College Archives as part of preparations for the College’s 400th anniversary. His 36-volume calendar, which includes most of the manorial documents held by the College, is being digitised with more volumes added in due course. If you are interested in any of the areas listed, please contact us.

• A Guide to Herbert Hurst’s Calendar
• Vol. 1 (College Estates: Adderbury to Asthrop)
• Vol. 2 (College Estates: Balscott to Barford)
• Vol. 3 (College Estates: Barton to Burgh)
• Vol. 4 (College Estates: Burrow to Buscot)
• Vol. 5 (College Estates: Camden to Chipping Norton)
• Vols. 31-33 (Bursarial Records)
• Vols. 34-35 (General College Records)

The ‘modern’ catalogue is divided into the following areas:

Artefacts
Brasenose College Register
Bursar and Finance
Brazen Nose Magazine
Benefactions and Trusts
Chapel
Collections
Development
Domestic Bursar and Kitchens
Estates
Government of College
Library
Members of College
Memorabilia and Personal Papers
Pictures
Personal Papers
Principal
Quatercentenary Monographs
Social and Leisure
Staff