Ascension Day, which fell on the 14th May this year, was marked again at Brasenose College with two old traditions. The Beating of the Bounds ceremony passed through Brasenose during the morning of Ascension Day. The custom, observed in a few parishes across England and Wales has probably been in existence for over a millennium, and originated in the need for church officials to walk around the boundaries of their parish. The boundaries of the parishes of the churches of St. Michael at the Northgate and St. Mary the Virgin (also known as the ‘University Church') pass through Brasenose College and on Ascension Day groups from both churches visit and mark the boundary stones located on certain walls of college buildings by marking them with the year in chalk and beating them with willow sticks (as pictured). This is certainly an unusual sight!
Secondly, at lunch time on Ascension Day each year, Brasenose College members are invited to enter Lincoln College via a tiny connecting door between the two colleges, which leads from Brasenose's Old Quad directly into the Lincoln College kitchens. Intriguingly, the door is opened for five minutes and it is the only time during the year that this door is unlocked, which adds a sense of mystery and discovery to this strange event. Brasenose members are served an (optional) small glass of ale in Lincoln College, which is traditionally flavoured with ground ivy, handpicked by the Lincoln College staff in local woods, to discourage Brasenose members from taking liberties with the kind hospitality by requesting more than one drink. Opinions on the origin of this tradition vary, but the two most popular explanations are that, centuries ago, either a Brasenose member was pursued by a mob from the town and murdered because Lincoln students refused to open their gates to him, or that a Lincoln member killed a Brasenose man in a duel. Either way, Lincoln College's penitence is gratefully received by Brasenose students and staff. As usual, the festivities were well attended this year despite a soggy feel to the weather.
Commenting on this quirky occassion, a second year Maths student, Adam Carver, said "As part of one of Oxford’s oddest traditions, we descended onto Lincoln this Ascension Day in order to take advantage of their dubious tasting ale. It’s a fun tradition as the whole college comes together, from old hands to freshers. Although bizarre, the day was a laugh and enjoyed by all who attended".
Although we have a small number of optional traditions and a long and fasinating history, Brasenose College is actually a modern, progressive institution with a vibrant and diverse undergraduate community. Read more about life at Brasenose College