University of Oxford: Introduction and history

University(ˌyo͞onəˈvərsədē) of Oxford(ˈäksfərd): Introduction(ˌintrəˈdəkSHən) and history

As the oldest university in the English-speaking world, Oxford is a unique(yo͞oˈnēk) and historic(-ˈstär-,hiˈstôrik) institution(ˌinstiˈt(y)o͞oSHən). There is no clear date of foundation, but teaching existed(igˈzist) at Oxford in some form in 1096 and developed rapidly(ˈrapədlē) from 1167, when Henry(ˈhenrē) II(the second) banned English students from attending the University of Paris(ˈperəs).

In 1188, the historian(hiˈstôrēən), Gerald of Wales(wālz), gave a public reading to the assembled(əˈsembəl) Oxford dons(dän) and in around 1190 the arrival(əˈrīvəl) of Emo(ˈēmō) of Friesland(ˈfrēzlənd), the first known overseas(ˈōvərˈsēz) student, set in motion the University’s tradition of international scholarly(ˈskälərlē) links. By 1201, the University was headed by a magister(ˈmajəstər) scholarum Oxonie, on whom the title of Chancellor(ˈCHans(ə)lər) was conferred(kənˈfər) in 1214, and in 1231 the masters were recognised(ˈrekigˌnīz,ˈrekə(g)ˌnīz) as a universitas or corporation(ˌkôrpəˈrāSHən).

In the 13th century, rioting(ˈrīət) between town and gown(goun) (townspeople and students) hastened(ˈhāsən) the establishment(əˈstabliSHmənt) of primitive(ˈprimətiv) halls(hôl) of residence(ˈrez(ə)dəns,ˈrezəˌdens). These were succeeded(səkˈsēd) by the first of Oxford’s colleges, which began as medieval(ˌmed(ē)ˈēvəl,ˌmid-,ˌmēd-) ‘halls of residence’ or endowed(enˈdou) houses under the supervision(ˌso͞opərˈviZHən) of a Master. University, Balliol and Merton Colleges, which were established between 1249 and 1264, are the oldest.

Less than a century later, Oxford had achieved eminence(ˈemənəns) above every other seat(sēt) of learning, and won the praises(prāz) of popes(pōp), kings and sages(sāj) by virtue(ˈvərCHo͞o) of its antiquity(anˈtikwədē), curriculum(kəˈrikyələm), doctrine(ˈdäktrin) and privileges(ˈpriv(ə)lij). In 1355, Edward(ˈedwərd) III paid(pād) tribute(ˈtribyo͞ot) to the University for its invaluable contribution to learning; he also commented(ˈkäment) on the services rendered to the state by distinguished Oxford graduates(ˈɡraj(ə)wət).

https://www.ox.ac.uk/about/organisation/history