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College Estates

Our records trace the history of College estates from the 12th century to the present day.

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Since 1509, Brasenose has owned over two hundred estates across more than twenty counties. The Archives hold deeds, maps, and administrative records relating to these properties – including manorial records, leases, rent rolls, ledgers, and correspondence with tenants. Traditionally, when an estate was conveyed to the College, it was customary to hand over all the title deeds, which often comprised documents unfolding a long and interesting history of the property prior to its acquisition by the College. For this reason, the Archives hold documents dating back to the 12th century.

Records about the College Estates

Before the end of the 19th century, much of the income of Oxford colleges came from the ownership of land throughout the country. Most of these estates were given by benefactors who conveyed the property to their chosen college as a gift, for example to fund a scholarship or fellowship. Since its foundation in 1509, Brasenose has owned over two hundred estates or smaller properties in some twenty counties, most of which were sold between 1870 and 1970. A complete list of the College’s historic estates can be found here.

Most early documents relating to estates (c.12th-18th centuries) were calendared by Herbert Hurst in 1898. These are mostly early deeds (including manorial records and leases). These will almost invariably apply to whole estates and not to individual buildings. Many estates records dating from the 19th century onwards have not yet been fully listed or catalogued. Please see the general summary of these records for more information.

A selection of 18th and 19th century maps of College estates (reference B 14.1), are available to view on our Flickr page here. Please see a list of these maps with their references here.

Hand-drawn historic map or plan with coloured section
Brasenose College Estate Map (B 14.1/44)

Enquiries about specific properties

The Archivists are able to help with historical enquiries but if you have a question about current land or building matters please contact the College Bursar (bursar@bnc.ox.ac.uk). If you do have an enquiry for the Archives, it is usually most helpful if you can provide as much background information as possible about the estate or building you are researching. Please also include details of your connection to this property and the purpose of your research as this can help us to pinpoint the most helpful sources of information in the Archives.

As the College’s estate records date from the 12th century to the present day, place names and even property or farm names usually change several times within the records and it is often not a quick task to trace the history of one house or piece of land. Please also consider that buildings (especially on farms) often became dilapidated and were often knocked down and rebuilt entirely. It is not always the case that the records will detail specific information about building work or dates of buildings. Many of the estates records deal with administrative and accounting issues, primarily dealt with by the Bursar and Land Agent of the College. If you are looking for information about tenants we can usually provide you with a name and date of habitation on a particular farm or in a particular property.

Other useful sources

British History Online – A free digital library of primary and secondary sources for the history of Britain and Ireland, with a strong focus on economic and social history.

The National Archives – The UK government’s official archive, holding records relating to land ownership, taxation, and property transfers across England and Wales.

Your local record office e.g. Oxfordshire History Centre – County record offices hold parish records, maps, and local administrative documents that can provide additional context for College estates in their area.

Your local record society e.g. Oxfordshire Record Society – Record societies publish edited historical documents and research relating to their counties (publications include The manors and advowson of Great Rollright by Reginald W. Jeffrey, 1927).

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