Post-medieval Oxford - Oxford City Council

the 1970s (Rodwell 1974). Further recording has been undertaken by Munby, Steane
and others (Munby 1975; 1992; 2000; Steane 2005).
The buildings of the university and colleges have been extensively described and
illustrated. The buildings were summarised in the Royal Commission Inventory of
1939 (RCHM 1939), in the University volume of the Victoria County History (VCH iii)
and in the architectural sections of the History of the University (Catto et al., (ed.)
1984-2000). A further summary is provided by Sherwood and Pevsner (1974).
Extensive historic land-ownership records survive for Oxford from the 13th century to
the present (VCH iv; Lobel 1957). Detailed maps of the city have been produced from
the 16th century (listed in appendix), and extensive collections of topographical
drawings include John Bereblock’s drawings of university and college buildings in
1566 (Durning (ed.) 2006), and other works by Loggan, Burghers, Malchair,
McKenzie, Michael Angelo Rooker, William Turner (of Oxford), and the Bucklers
(John and JC). Extensive photographic archives have recorded some of the lost postmedieval
building stock, notably those by Henry Taunt, Henry Minn, and Peter
Spokes. The available topographical drawing and photographic archives have yet to
be reviewed for inclusion on the Urban Archaeological Database.
The principal summary source for Oxford history as a whole is the Victoria County
History vol. IV City of Oxford (Crossley 1979). Notable early diarists of Oxford include
Anthony Wood and John Aubrey writing in the 17th century (Wood 1674; 1691-2;
Lawson 1947). Notable antiquaries include the first keeper of the Ashmolean, Dr
Robert Plot, in the 17th century followed by a succession of writers and historians
including Thomas Hearne, William Fletcher, JH Parker, Herbert Hurst, TW Squires,
HE Salter and WA Pantin.
Key themes
The key aspects of post-medieval Oxford are:
The changing landscape: the post-medieval period saw a great many changes in
the landscape as the Dissolution opened up a great deal of land to private
ownership. Disafforestation, changes in agricultural practices, piecemeal private
enclosure and the development of urban and suburban parks also transformed
Oxford and its hinterland.
The evolution of transport links, especially improvement of navigation along the
Thames, road improvements and the arrival of the Canal.
The post-medieval built heritage: many of the medieval colleges and domestic
structures have significant post-medieval architecture. There remains
considerable scope for further discovery, recording and analysis within standing
structures. With regards to domestic and commercial architecture, patterns of
adaptation and new build, including sub-division and extension, require further
investigation and mapping.
Material culture: traditionally less well studied than earlier periods (though less so
in Oxford), the investigation of post-medieval material culture can make a
significant contribution to the understanding of life for both students and townsfolk
in Oxford. Particularly in terms of evidence for conspicuous consumption,
scientific practice and academic study in the colleges.
The availability of documentary resources: Oxford is well served by map
coverage, the quantity of documentation, and the level of historical synthesis, all
of which can enhance the results of archaeological investigation.
Urban and suburban settlement: during this time urban and suburban settlement
was consolidated and density increased considerably.
OXFORD ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENT- POST MEDIEVAL 6