This is an excerpt from the tour Oxford’s Noble and Great Ones - Part 1 which explores around the southern part of Oxford. The full tour is found on www.obelisktours.co.uk
In the far corner of Oxford Cathedral is a delightful stained
glass window created by Edward Burne-Jones (1833-1898) which tells, in picture
form, the legend of the beginning of Oxford and the Cathedral.
It tells the story
of Frideswide, the daughter of a 7th Century king, who established a
nunnery here by the river. Legend has it
that Prince Algar, from a neighbouring kingdom, saw an opportunity to increase
his influence by allowing her the privilege of becoming his wife. Except…she wasn’t interested.
The Prince knew how to woo a lady, so he sent his men to
bring her to him. In the kidnap attempt
they were struck blind and Frideswide miraculously healed them. They humbly returned home empty handed. Not to be outdone Algar came to Oxford
himself to claim his reluctant bride, and he too was struck blind. She was then allowed to spend the rest of her
days in peace serving others.
The reputation of the miracles of Frideswide spread and soon
pilgrims made the journey to visit her shrine including Queen Catherine of
Aragon (1518) who came in the hopes that
touching the shrine might help her conceive a son for Henry VIII. This need for a male heir must have haunted
Catherine’s living days. She had already
given Henry three sons, but they had all died.
She had also given him three daughters, but the only one to survive was
Mary – future Queen of England. And
after all that Henry had the audacity to divorce her!
The Cathedral (12th Century) was built on the
site of Saint Frideswide’s Saxon church.
Other monastic buildings such as the old Chapter House and cloisters
also survive. It was from this ancient
core of buildings that Cardinal Wolsey began the Cardinal College which we know today as Christ Church.
More details about the people, places and events associated
with these sites can be found on the tour Oxford’s Noble and Great Ones - Part 1 available
on www.obelisktours.co.uk
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