Oxford had a population of around 5,000. At the time, it was a large and important city. It was said that Oxford was the one of largest town in England.

In 1072, the Normans built a castle in Oxford.

In the 1140's, there was was a civil war in England between Stephen, the king of England, and Matilda, his wife. Stephen's army burned the town and surrounded the castle. But Matilda arrived to escape.

The Oxford's university was founded in 1167. In Oxford, there was much tensions between townspeople and students, because they are jealous their privileges.


In 1258, Simon de Monfort and other rebellious barons held a meeting in Oxford and forced the king to accept many of reforms called the Provisions of Oxford.

In the 12th and 13th centuries, Oxford was a manufacturing city. There were many tanners and leather workers.

In the 14th and 15th centuries, Oxford came to depend on the university.

In the mid-16th century it may have had a population of 3,500.

In 1642 came civil war between king and parliament. The king made Oxford his headquarters. But in 1646 the king lost the war. Oxford eventually surrendered to the parliament army.


In 1651, the first coffee house in England opened in Oxford. Coffee was a new drink at that time  but it soon became popular. Many coffee houses were opened where middle class and upper class men could meet, have drink, read newspaper and talk about their jobs.


By the middle of the 18th century, Oxford probably had a population of about 8,000. By the end of the century, it was nearly 12,000.

A railway from Oxford to London was built in 1844.


architectury of Oxford

The Oford's architectury was has evolved through the ages: gothic, neogothic,classical, neoclassical, modern, post modern.

sources: http://www.localhistories.org/oxford.html

Apolline