XXIV PREFACE. Notices of Oxford. As to Oxford, we have mention of the lectures of Robert Poule in 1133 (p. 19) ; of the departure of the scholars in 1209, when two clerks had been hanged (p. 5i), not, however, with such details as Matthew Paris gives ; the robbery of the Jewry by clerks in 1243, forty-five of whom were imprisoned, but released through the influence of Grosseteste (p. 91) ; the quarrel between the townsmen and scholars in ] 2G3, the banish- ment of the latter by the king, and their return under the protection of Simon de Montfort (pp. 139-141), one reason, perhaps, for the annalist of the abbey taking his side in the war; the entry of Henry III. into Oxford (p. 142) in 1263, in spite of the old superstitious belief, which Wykes gives at length (p. 143), that S. Frideswyde had obtained by her prayers that no king could ever enter the city with impunity. It was a curious instance of the superstition of Edward I. being greater than that of his father, that though as prince he had entered Oxford on this occasion with him, after his own accession he was afraid to do so, as Wykes men- tions under the year 1275 (p. 264). He seems, however, to have overcome the dread later on in life, as Wykes mentions (p. 284) that he was present at the chapter of Dominicans held at Oxford in 1280. The mention of the death of Walter de Merton, in 1 277, gives occasion to the annalist to insert some verses (p. 275) respecting his foundation at Oxford, — Merton College, nearly the oldest existing foundation in either university.^ There is a full account of the quarrel between the bishop of Lincoln (Oli- ver Sutton) and the university in 1288 (p. 317), respecting his refusal to admit a chancellor^ elected by the masters, because he did not apply in person for admission ; the bishop declining to admit a person unknown to himself. ' Merton College was founded in 1264. See Mr. Anstey's remarks on the superior claims of University College. Muniment Acad. Oxon. i. p. xxix. Though the year 1257 is given as that of the foundation of Peter House, Cambridge, the charter was not given till 1284. - William de Kyngescote, " vir " industrius."
