Merton College
Merton College Arms
(16) Merton College stands on the S. side of
Merton Street. The walls are of local Oxfordshire
stone and the roofs are slate-covered. The college was
first founded by Walter de Merton, later Bishop of
Rochester, in 1264 and moved to Oxford in 1274. To
about this date probably belongs the Hall; the pre-existing church of St. John the Baptist served as a
chapel and three houses on the street front no doubt
accommodated the scholars. The accounts of the
college begin in 1287. The choir of the new Chapel
was begun in 1289–90 and appears to have been completed in 1294 when the accounts refer to its roofing
and glazing. In 1299–1300 there are various references
to the building of the Warden's Lodging which is
probably to be identified with the building in the N.E.
angle of the Front Quadrangle. In 1307 the old chapel
was converted into chambers; it is possible that the
N. range of Mob Quadrangle represents the position
of this building, but if so it was entirely re-built at a
slightly later date. Though there is little direct
evidence, it appears probable that the Treasury and the
adjoining range of Mob Quadrangle were built in
1308–9. In 1309–10 the Sacristy was begun and in
1312 the high altar of the chapel was dedicated. In
1330 the crossing of the chapel was begun, though it is
possible that some part of the E. arch was constructed
when the choir was built. The building of the S.
Transept of the chapel may be equated with the works
in progress in 1367–8. The Library was built by
William Rede, Bishop of Chichester, between the years
1371–9, the vaulting in the passage on the N.W. being
perhaps referred to in 1378. The N. Transept of the
chapel seems to have been built in 1416–24 though
there is no explicit reference to this part of the structure.
Some time in the 15th century the windows in the S.
transept were altered, and in 1451 the upper part of the
Tower was built; the W. window is probably of late
15th-century date. The license to build the Gate-tower
was granted in 1418 and perhaps the adjoining parts of
the N. range of the Front Quadrangle were built
about the same time. Under Richard Fitzjames,
Warden (1483–1507) the archway, E. of the Hall, was
erected and the existing roof put on the library (in
1502–3); the archway at the W. end of the Hall is said
to have been built under Richard Rawlyns, Warden
(1508–21). In 1579 a porch was added to the Hall and
the N. side of the Front Quadrangle was remodelled
between 1589 and 1591. Under Sir Henry Savile,
Warden (1586–1622) the kitchen was re-built and the
Fellows' Quadrangle was erected, the foundation-stone
being laid in September 1608; it was completed in
1610; the battlements were added in 1622. In the
following year the dormer-windows were added to the
S. library and those of the W. library are probably of
the same date. In 1631 the range W. of the entrancetower was built or re-built. The roof of the S. transept
of the chapel fell in 1655, and in 1671 the room over the
kitchen was converted into a Senior Common Room.
In 1790–4 the Hall was remodelled and largely re-built
by Wyatt. The range towards the street was refaced
by Blore in 1836–8 and in 1842 the restoration of the
Chapel was begun; in 1864 a new block of rooms was
built on the S.W. angle of the site; it has been remodelled in recent years; the Hall was restored in
1872–4 by Sir Gilbert Scott, and other minor restorations were made. The E. range of the Front Quadrangle was re-built in 1904–5, when St. Alban's Hall,
immediately to the E. was also re-built, except the N.
front, a building of 1599. Other minor restorations
have taken place in recent years.
Merton College
The buildings form the earliest example of collegiate
planning in Oxford. The chapel with its glass,
brasses and monuments, the ironwork on the hall-door,
the bosses of the Fitzjames gateway and the fittings of
the library are all noteworthy.
Architectural Description—The Front Quadrangle is
entered by the Gatehouse of 1418 with a short range on
the W. built in 1631 and a range on the E., re-built in
1589–91; the N. and W. fronts were entirely refaced
in 1837–8 and the S. front has recently been stripped of
cement. The Gatehouse is of three storeys with an
embattled parapet and a stair-turret at the S.W. angle;
above the modern outer archway are modern copies of
the former statues of the founder and a king; the
central stone panel was inserted by Richard Fitzjames,
Warden (1483–1507) and re-set at the restoration; it
represents a book with the Agnus Dei on one side and
St. John the Baptist and the founder on the other side
set in a landscape background with various animals.
The 15th-century doors are of two leaves each with
five cinquefoil-headed panels with vertical tracery in
the four-centred head; there is a wicket in the E. leaf.
The S. face of the gate-house is of rubble with an
ashlar-faced turret; the inner archway has a segmental-pointed head of two orders; the upper floors have
each a partly restored 17th-century window of two
four-centred lights in a square head. The gate-hall
has a stone vault of two bays with ridge, diagonal and
intermediate ribs, springing from head-corbels; the
bosses, some of which are of doubtful antiquity, are
carved with foliage, roses, a goat's head with a sickle,
a padlock and, in the middle, a half-figure of the Virgin
with the Child and the initials T.B. The roof of the
top storey of the tower has original curved and moulded
braces resting on wood corbels. The 17th-century
wing on the W. is of two storeys with attics; the S.
face has a doorway with moulded jambs and two-centred head; the windows are of 17th-century type
but completely restored externally. The S. front of
the range E. of the gatehouse is of two storeys with
attics and is of rubble; the stone dressings have been
mostly renewed; the two doorways have moulded
jambs and four-centred arches in square heads with
labels; the windows have four-centred heads to the
lights. Inside the range are some 16th-century
moulded ceiling-beams and a little early 17th-century
panelling, made up into a dado, on the first floor. The
E. end of the range is presumably part of the Warden's
Lodging built in 1299–1300; it consisted of a small
hall (28½ ft. by 21 ft.) with a cross-wing at the E. end;
the latter has been largely re-built but the form of the
original window in the N. gable-wall has been retained.
The small hall is now of two, but was originally of one
storey; all the dressings have been renewed but the
doorway and two windows in the S. wall appear to
retain their original form. The interior retains its
original roof of two bays with three trusses; the tiebeams support queen-posts with moulded capitals and
bases and curved braces to the main collar-beams;
these in turn support king-posts with moulded capitals
and rounded bases with curved braces to the upper
collar-beams and central purlin.
The Hall (78 ft. by 27 ft.) on the S. side of the Front
Quadrangle, was built in the second half of the 13th
century, largely re-built in 1790–4 and again drastically
restored or re-built in 1872–4. It is of four bays with
buttresses and a N. porch and stands upon a low undercroft. All the existing features are completely restored
or modern, except at the W. end; here the wall is of
rubble and at the base of the gable are four old corbels,
perhaps part of a former corbel-table and parapet
within which rose the original gable-wall; at the basement level are a partly restored doorway with a two-centred head and a 16th-century window of three four-centred lights; above the latter is a three-light 17th-century window, with elliptical heads to the lights.
The N. doorway of the Hall has been restored or re-cut
but retains the original oak door (Plate 27) with elaborate
scrolled ironwork; this has three straps, two main and
one subsidiary, with foliage and stamped rosette-ends
to the scrolls. The basement has an 18th or early 19th-century system of vaulting, but the side walls retain the
splays of former windows, now blocked. Part of the
walling of the porch appears to be old.
The Fitziames Gateway, on the E. of the hall, was
built c. 1500 and restored in 1905; it is of two storeys,
ashlar-faced and finished with a modern embattled
parapet. The N. archway has moulded jambs, four-centred arch and modern label with restored stops;
above it is a shield-of-arms of the see of Rochester
impaling Fitzjames quartering Draycot, with angels,
mitre and canopy; the windows on the upper floor
have been restored and are of two four-centred and
transomed lights. The return wall to the E. is of the
same date and the restored features include two shields
of the arms of Fitzjames and Draycot; two windows,
each of a single cinque-foiled light, are partly old. The
S. archway is similar to that on the N. and above it are
two restored windows each of two cinque-foiled lights;
the bay to the E. has a much restored bay-window, of
two storeys, each with two four-centred and transomed
lights on the front and one on each canted side. The
gate-hall has an original stone vault (Plate 3) of one bay
with hollow-chamfered diagonal, subsidiary, lierne,
ridge and wall ribs springing from modern shafts; the
bosses (Plate 139) are carved in very high relief, partly
in the round, with the signs of the zodiac and a central
achievement of the Tudor royal arms, with dragon and
greyhound supporters. Inside the building, the lower
stage of the bay-window has a stone ceiling with cusped
panels. The rooms on the first floor form Common
Rooms. Adjoining this range on the N.E. is part of a
15th-century building of three storeys, formerly part of
the Warden's Lodging. The external features have been
almost entirely restored but, inside the building, the
porch has an original vault, with hollow-chamfered
ridge, diagonal and wall ribs, springing from head-corbels and with foliated or rose-bosses at the intersections. Further E. is a fine oak staircase (Plate 168)
inserted by Nathaniel Brent, Warden (1622–51); it is
of well-type, with turned balusters, moulded ribs and
strings and enriched newels finished with tall moulded
terminals and pendants; the newel on the top landing
has cartouches-of-arms of the college and Brent.
The Archway or bridge (Plate 142) on the W. of the
Hall was built by Richard Rawlyns, Warden (1508–21).
It is ashlar-faced and finished with a moulded coping.
The two archways both have moulded jambs, four-centred arches and labels; on each face is a window of
two cinque-foiled lights in a square head with a label; the
stops are carved with a monogram, rose and portcullis,
of doubtful antiquity. The archway has a segmental-pointed stone vault with cinque-foiled panels, partly
restored. The passage above has a modern panelled
ceiling incorporating an original foliated boss; the
passage communicates with the S.E. stair-turret of the
Sacristy.
The Chapel (Plate 140) consists of a Choir, Crossing
and Tower, and Transepts forming an Ante-chapel, and
stands to the N.W. of the Front Quadrangle. The
Choir (102 ft. by 28 ft.) was built during the years 1289–
94 and is a building of seven bays with a moulded plinth
and parapet. The partly restored E. window is of
seven cinque-foiled and sub-cusped lights each with a
crocketted gable, set within the tracery, in a two-centred
main head, with moulded and shafted splays and
moulded labels; the internal label-stops are carved
with the heads of a bishop and a king. The side-walls
have two-stage buttresses with panelled upper parts and
finished with water-spouts and gables; the parapet-string, on the N., has a series of carvings, probably
restored. Each bay has a partly restored window of
three trefoiled or cinque-foiled lights with varying
tracery in a two-centred head with moulded labels; the
splays are moulded and shafted and the rear-arches
moulded; between the heads of the windows are
grouped wall-shafts with moulded capitals and bases,
standing on corbels carved with foliage, heads, a
monster and a swine-herd with swine; within the
modern piscina-recess is a small restored quatre-foiled
squint, opening into the sacristy, and in the next bay
is a doorway with moulded jambs and two-centred
arch in cinque-foiled, gabled and crocketted head with
side pinnacles and head-stops; it and a similar blind
bay to the E. form a range with the modern sedilia and
piscina and are themselves partly restored. The
Crossing (Plate 141) (26 ft. by 24 ft.) was built c. 1330–4
with the possible exception of some part of the E. arch
which may be of the date of the choir. In each wall is a
two-centred arch of six moulded orders with labels; the
outer labels of the E., N. and S. arches have stops
carved with foliage and heads including a king and a
bishop; the responds have each eleven attached shafts
with moulded capitals and bases; the W. arch has a
late 15th-century blocking in which is a window of
six cinque-foiled ogee and transomed lights with vertical
tracery in a two-centred head, with moulded reveals;
above the arch in this wall is the gabled weathering of
the projected nave which was never built. The Tower
has a plain stage rising to the level of the ridges of the
adjoining roofs; in the W. wall is a window of two
pointed lights in a two-centred head; a modern gallery
runs round the stage but the roof may be, in part, old;
it has curved braces springing from carved corbels
some of which may be of the 15th century. The bell-chamber, added in 1451, has buttressed pilasters at each
angle and in the middle of each face; it is finished with
a frieze of quatrefoils, a pierced embattled parapet and
eight crocketted pinnacles, restored in 1822; each
face of the bell-chamber has two windows of three
cinque-foiled lights with vertical tracery in a two-centred
head with moulded reveals and label; the windows are
blocked below a transom. The N. Transept (34 ft. by
29 ft.) was built in 1416–24 with the exception of the
arch into the projected N. aisle of the nave, which is of
the same date as the crossing. The walls are ashlar-faced, with a moulded plinth, plain parapet and square
pinnacles at the N. angles; the parapet string-course has
grotesque and other carvings. In the E. wall are two
partly restored windows of three cinque-foiled and sub-cusped lights with vertical tracery in a two-centred
head with moulded reveals, rear-arch and label, and
shafted splays; the internal labels have head-stops of
kings and bishops; below the N.E. window is a
modern doorway. In the N. wall is a similar window
but of seven lights with a brattished transom; flanking
the windows are niches with moulded pedestals, ogee
crocketted canopies and side-buttresses with pinnacles;
they contain decayed images of the Virgin and St. John
the Baptist; on the E. pedestal is a shield of the arms
of the college; below the window is a doorway with
moulded and shafted jambs and moulded two-centred
arch in a square head with traceried spandrels and a
label; the splays are shafted and the rear-arch is four-centred; it is set in a range of cinquefoil-headed
panels, below the window-sill; in the gable is a completely restored triangular window. In the W. wall
is a window similar to those in the E. wall; in the S.
bay is an early 14th-century arch, two-centred and of
three moulded orders with a label; the shafted responds
have moulded capitals and restored bases; the arch
has a 15th-century blocking. The S. Transept (35 ft.
by 29 ft.) was built probably in 1367–8 except for the
arch into the projected nave-aisle which corresponds
to that in the N. transept; probably in the second half
of the 15th century the transept was remodelled, and
all the windows altered. In the E. wall are two
windows of which the internal labels and adjoining
string-course are of the 14th century and the tracery
of the 15th century; they are of three cinque-foiled
lights with vertical tracery in a two-centred head, with
moulded reveals; the external labels have decayed
head-stops. In the S. wall is a 15th-century window
of six cinque-foiled ogee and transomed lights with
vertical tracery in a two-centred head with moulded
reveals and labels; the transom and cross-bars of the
tracery are embattled; the inner label has head-stops
of a king and a bishop and the outer label has a stop
carved with an angel holding a shield apparently of the
arms of the college; at the W. end of the wall is a late
14th-century doorway with moulded jambs, two-centred arch and label and shafted splays; in the gable
is a window of two trefoiled lights with a quatrefoil in
a triangular head. In the W. wall is a window similar
to those in the E. wall and in the N. bay is a blocked
arch similar to that in the N. transept; the wall has no
parapet but is finished with a string-course having
grotesque and other carvings at intervals. The projected aisled Nave was never erected and the idea was
evidently abandoned by the later part of the 15th
century. The two W. buttresses of the crossing
incorporate the rough responds of the nave arcade and
the springers of the arches above; over the arch into
the N. transept is the weathering of the projected
pent-roof of the N. aisle. The Roof of the choir is
perhaps original and has trussed rafters of scissorform; it is ceiled with modern boarding. The 15th-century roof of the tower has tie-beams with curved
braces.
Helmet Formerly Hung over the Monument to Sir Thomas Bodley
Fittings—Bells: eight, all by Christopher Hodson,
1630. Brasses and Indents. Brasses: In choir—(1) of
John Bloxham, S.T.B., Warden, [1387] and John
Whytton, Rector of Wodeton (Wood Eaton), figure of
former in gown and hood and of latter in cassock and
hood, under small double canopy supported on a
bracket and shaft with the Agnus Dei at the base and a
scroll below, early 15th-century, re-set, original indent
in N. transept; (2) of Henry Sever, S.T.P., Warden,
1471, large figure of priest in cope with figures of a
bishop, St. James the Great, St. James the Less, St.
Paul, St. John the Baptist, St. John the Evangelist, St.
Bartholomew and St. Thomas, two shields-of-arms of
Sever and a triple canopy with pinnacles and the word
mercy, side-shafts missing, re-set, original indent in N.
transept. In N. transept—(3) of [Richard de Hakeborne], Rector of W[o]lfo[rd], c. 1311, half-figure of
priest in mass-vestments against remains of a floriated
cross, branches and stem missing, indents of marginal
inscription in single capitals; (4) figure of a priest,
apparently in civilian dress, in head of mutilated
floriated cross, stem and marginal inscription missing,
c. 1370, cut on same slab, initials and date R.W. 1686;
(5) to Robert Beseley, M.A., 1623, two inscription-plates; (6) to Nicholas Marshe, M.A., 1612, two
inscription-plates; on W. wall; (7) to Francis Yarnold,
M.A., 1587, inscription in Latin, Hebrew and Greek.
In crossing—(8) to William Bysse, 1510–11, inscription
only. In S. transept—(9) of [John Bowke, M.A., 1519],
half-figure of priest in gown and hood with chalice and
wafer, indent of inscription-plate; (10) of John Kyllyngworth, M.A., 1445, half-figure of priest in gown and
hood, indent of shield. Indents: in N. transept—(1) of
figure in head of foliated cross and marginal inscription; (2) fragment with indent of shaft of cross. In
crossing—(3) of priest, inscription-plate and four
roundels; (4) of figure in head of floriated cross and
marginal inscription; (5) of inscription-plate; (6) of
half-figure of priest and inscription-plate. In S. transept—(7) fragment with indent of shaft of cross; (8) of
inscription-plate and scroll; (9) of inscription-plate
and perhaps figure; (10) of two figures under canopy
with marginal inscription; (11) of figure of priest and
inscription-plate; (12) of figure in head of floriated
cross with marginal inscription and scrolls; (13) of
half-figure. Cupboard: In N. transept—with panelled
doors and moulded cornice, early 18th-century. Doors:
In N. transept—in N. doorway, of two leaves with
applied ribs forming panels, late 16th or early 17th-century; in S. transept—in S. doorway, of one leaf,
but otherwise similar to above. Funeral Helm: In
library, but said to have been formerly over monument
of Sir Thomas Bodley—helm with comb, ridged visor,
mezail with decoration including crest, decoration also
on chin-piece, c. 1580. Glass: In choir—in E. window,
tracery filled with glass of c. 1300 (Plate 146) in situ and
including foliage, shields-of-arms of England, England
with a label and Clare and small figures of the Virgin
and St. Gabriel with a scroll inscribed "Ave Maria";
in main lights seven shields-of-arms, seven panels and
fourteen roundels with shields-of-arms; shields-of-arms
as follows—(a) the College, (b) France and England
quarterly, (c) composite coat for Walter de Merton, (d)
Clare, (e) see of Winchester impaling Beaufort, (f) Beaufort, (g) see of Rochester impaling Fitzjames quartering
Draycot; panels as follows—(a) two seraphim, (b) the
Crucifixion (Plate 147) with the Virgin and St. John, (c)
half-length figure (Plate 149) of abbess with nimbus,
(d) half-length figure (Plate 149) of the Virgin and Child
(e) half-length figure of abbess with nimbus, (f) head
of St. John the Evangelist with fragments, (g) seraph
and a male saint kneeling; roundels as follows—
(a) Fitzjames, (b) Ponthieu (?), (c) Kemp, (d) France
ancient quartering England, (e) Draycot, (f) Fitzjames, (g) Beaufort, (h) France quartering England,
(i) Rochester impaling Fitzjames quartering Draycot,
(j) Draycot, (k) Merton (reversed) impaling Beckingham (?), (1) the College, (m) Kemp and (n) Ponthieu,
14th to 16th-century, not in situ. In fourteen sidewindows of choir—glass of c. 1300 and in situ with
groundwork of grisaille of vine, oak and maple-leaves,
borders of either vine or ivy-leaves or an alternation
of castles and fleurs-de-lis, in middle of main lights, a
series of panels containing figures under crocketted and
pinnacled canopies, in upper and lower parts of main
lights, a series of roundels with various leaves or heads,
including one of Christ and various kings and queens
and a pelican in her piety; in main lights, central figure
in panels, flanked in each window (except two on the
S.E.) by kneeling figures (Plate 148) of the donor in
gown, hood and cap with the inscription "Magister
Henricus de Mamesfeld me fecit"; central figures in
each window, starting on N. side, as follows—(a) St.
Peter (Plate 145), (b) St. Andrew (Plate 148), (c) St.
Simon, (d) St. Philip (?), (e) St. Bartholomew, (f) St.
James the Less, (g) saint with book, St. John (?); S.
side, first two windows each with three standing figures,
rest with one figure and two figures of donor as on N.,
(a) an archbishop, (b) St. Paul, (c) St. Nicholas (Plate
145); (d) St. Lawrence, (e) St. Jude (?), (f) St. Stephen
(Plate 148), (g) St. Thomas, (h) St. Mark, (i) St. James
the Great (Plate 148), (j) St. Luke (?), (k) St. Matthew.
In crossing—in W. window, in heads of main lights,
tabernacle-work, in tracery-lights small figures (Plate
147) as follows—(a) made-up figure, (b) and (e) Coronation of the Virgin (?), (c and d) the Annunciation,
(f) figure with psaltery; in second row, (a) figure in
habit, (b) St. Thomas of Hereford, (c) St. James the
Less, (d) St. Thomas, (e) St. John the Evangelist (?),
(f) St. James the Great, (g) St. Andrew, (h) St. Peter,
(i) St. Paul, (j) small figure; in third row, (a) made-up
figure, (b) St. George, (c) St. Ethelbert, (d) St. Matthew,
(e) made up figure, (f) St. Simon, (g) St. Bartholomew,
(h) St. Philip, (i) St. John the Baptist, (j) made-up figure,
(k) St. Christopher, (l) small figure, 15th-century not
in situ. In N. transept—in tracery of N. window, conventional foliage in situ and jumble of fragments,
including parts of inscriptions, 15th and 16th-century.
In S. transept—in S. window, in spandrels of lower
lights, conventional leaves, 15th-century in situ. Now
in store—glass formerly in E. window, executed by
William Price sen. in 1700. Lectern (Plate 24): of brass
and of double-desk form, with fleur-de-lis cresting and
pinnacle on each gable-head, each desk with pierced
central panel enclosing a shield-of-arms of Fitzjames
and, at sides, the inscription, "Orate pro ai~a. Mri~.
Johi~s Martok", moulded stem and base on four lions,
c. 1500, two added candle-branches, probably 18th-century. Monuments and Floor-slabs. Monuments:
In N. transept—on E. wall, (1) to Anthony Wood,
antiquary, 1695, white marble cartouche in draped
frame with achievement-of-arms; (2) to Robert,
1644–5, and Joan, 1643–4, infant children of Richard
Spencer, stone and black marble tablet with side-pilasters, broken pediment and cartouche-of-arms; on
W. wall, (3) of Sir Thomas Bodley, founder of the
public library, 1612–3, alabaster and black marble
monument (Plate 143), by Nicholas Stone, with central
oval recess containing bust of man and surrounded by
figures representing Music, Arithmetic, Grammar and
Rhetoric, side-pilasters, composed of books, supporting
an entablature and pediment, with cartouche, achievement-of-arms and three allegorical figures, two further
figures flanking monument and a third on apron. In
S. transept—on E. wall, (4) to John Whitfield, A.M.,
1694, white marble tablet with curved pediment, lamp
and achievement-of-arms; (5) to Nathaniel Wight,
1682, painted and gilt stone tablet (Plate 29) with oval
panel, broken pediment, figures of children and
achievement-of-arms; on S. wall, (6) to John Earle,
Bishop of Salisbury, 1665, alabaster and black marble
wall-monument with Doric side-pilasters, entablature,
broken pediment and two cartouches-of-arms; (7) to
Alexander Fisher, 1671, alabaster and black marble
wall-monument with Corinthian side-columns, entablature, broken pediment and cartouche-of-arms; on
W. wall, (8) of Sir Henry Savile, Warden, formerly
Provost of Eton, 1621–2, painted marble wall-monument (Plate 143) with bust of man in middle flanked by
standing figures of St. John Chrysostom, Ptolemy,
Euclid and Tacitus, Doric side-columns supporting an
entablature and curved pediment with cherubs and a
figure of Fame, achievement and two painted shields-of-arms, on base two paintings of Merton College and
Eton (Plate 36); (9) to Richard Lydall, M.D., Warden,
1703–4, white and grey marble tablet, with cornice,
pediment and cartouche-of-arms; (10) to John Bainbridge, M.D., 1643, black marble slab, with inset panels
and achievement-of-arms in white marble. Floor-slabs:
In N. transept—(1) to A.W. (Anthony Wood), 1695;
(2) to Mary, wife of John Garland, 1670; (3) to Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Gr......, late 17th-century;
(4) to Anne, daughter of James Clayton, 1680; (5) to
Henry Briggs, 17th-century; (6) to Parnel, wife of Ellis
Roberts, 1644; (7) to Mary Babington, 1632, with
shield-of-arms; (8) to Benjamin, infant son of Adrian
Roberts, 1702–3; (9) to William Martin, 1669; (10) to
John Price, 1690; (11) to ........ Roberts, 1644;
(12) to Elizabeth (Howe) wife of James Clayton, 1681,
with achievement-of-arms; (13) to Anne, daughter of
Robert Woode, 1666; (14) to John Luffe, Regius Professor of Medicine, 1698; (15) to Thomas Silly, 1643;
(16) to William Martin, 1665–6; (17) to Martha,
daughter of John Beckford, 1692; (18) to Joan
Burnuam, 1654–5; in crossing, (19) to E.G. 1696;
(20) to Benjamin Burnuam, 1656; (21) to John Beckford, 1691–2; (22) to Anne, daughter of Christopher
Woode, 1664; (23) to Thomas Cobham, 1659; (24) to
John Prince, 1673; (25) to Jane Blizard, 1691; (26) to
H.D., 1667; (27) to P.B., 1699; (28) to S.I., 1661;
(29) to John Lydall, M.B., 1711. In S. transept—
(30) to R.K., 167.; (31) toC.W., 1684; (32) to T.M.,
1691; (33) to I.W., 1629; (34) to Elizabeth Badcock,
1701; (35) to John Badcock, 1707; (36) to .. C.,
[16]88; (37) to Mary, wife of William Booden, 1630–1;
(38) to I.W., 1668; (39) to Na[thaniel] Wight, [1682];
(40) to William Cunninggam, 1642; (41) to .....
Cunninggam, [16]45. Set on fourth buttress on N.
of choir—(41) to George Guy, 1652. Picture: Crucifixion, school of Tintoretto. Piscina: In S. transept—
in S. wall, of two bays with moulded and shafted jambs
and central free shaft, cinque-foiled arches with tracery
in gabled crocketted and finialed head, side-buttresses
with pinnacles, two cinque-foiled drains, c. 1300, probably re-set and restored. Pulpit (Plate 44): In N. transept—of oak, hexagonal with enriched panelled sides
and enriched cornice, moulded base on six twisted posts
with rails, early 18th-century. Stoup: In S. transept—
in S. wall, recess with chamfered jambs and four-centred head, restored round bowl, 15th-century.
The Sacristy, S. of the choir, was built in 1309–11
and was restored and re-roofed in 1886. The walls
are of rubble with a low-pitched gable to the E. and W.
In the E. wall are two, and in the W. wall one, partly
restored windows, each of three trefoiled ogee lights
with net-tracery in a two-centred head with moulded
splays and labels; at the N. end of the W. wall is a
blocked doorway with rounded jambs, set inside the
wall, and a two-centred head; at the S. end is a similar
doorway, also blocked; between them is a fireplace
with a segmental head. The roof is modern but incorporates some old timber. The stair-turret, at the
S.E. angle, is entered by a pointed doorway and has,
at the foot of the stairs, a recess with a pointed head
and a shelf; the doorway to the bridge, communicating
with the hall, has moulded jambs and four-centred head.
The Mob Quadrangle (Plate 142) (65½ ft. by 66 ft.) has
an E. Range including the Treasury built probably in
1308–9, a N. Range perhaps built in 1335–6 and two
Library ranges on the S. and W. built in 1371–8. The
Treasury is a rubble building of two storeys with a N.W.
stair-turret and a steep-pitched gabled roof of stone; the
S. side of the ground-floor forms the entrance to the
Quadrangle and has a room to the N. of it; both these
are roofed with quadripartite stone vaults in two bays,
springing from attached shafts with moulded capitals
and bases; the entrance-passage is entered by two
doorways each with chamfered jambs and two-centred
arch with a label; the adjoining room is lit by a restored
window of two lights and in the N. wall are the jambs
of a former arched recess. The treasury, on the first
floor, is lit by single-light windows with shouldered
heads; the roof of stone slabs is carried on three two-centred and chamfered arches, dying on to the sidewalls; the room is paved with old tiles, formerly
glazed. The rest of the E. Range is of two storeys
with attics. The W. face has, on the ground floor, a
much restored 14th-century doorway with moulded
jambs, two-centred arch and label; N. of it are two
restored 15th-century windows, each of two square-headed lights with a label; the cusping of the heads
has been cut away; S. of the doorway are two completely restored windows of 14th-century character.
The windows on the first floor are of the 16th or 17th
century with square heads, except for two completely
restored windows of 14th-century type; the window
over the doorway has been entirely restored. On the
E. face the single-light upper windows are probably of
the 14th century with the cusping cut away. Inside
the range, the ground-floor appears to retain its original
main timber ceiling-beams; on the first floor are some
late mediæval moulded ceiling-beams. The N. Range
of the quadrangle is thought to occupy the site of the
old chapel, turned into rooms in 1307; if so it was
subsequently entirely re-built, perhaps in 1335–6. It
is of two storeys with attics and has on the S. side a
central 14th-century doorway with chamfered jambs,
two-centred arch and moulded label; the two-light
windows on the ground floor are of the 15th century
and have moulded reveals and square heads with the
cusping cut away; the single-light windows are 17th-century insertions and below the easternmost are the
jambs of an original 14th-century window; two of the
windows on the first floor are probably of the 14th
century restored; they are of a single cinque-foiled
light; the other windows have four-centred heads and
are of the 16th century. In the E. end is a blocked
14th-century window of one restored cinque-foiled
light; the doorway adjoining the S.E. angle of the
building is of 14th-century character, much restored.
The N. face of the range retains, on the ground-floor,
three original windows, two similar to that in the E.
end and the third with an altered head; the first floor
has a range of five square-headed windows, probably
original, but altered and with the cusping cut away.
In the W. wall is an original doorway with chamfered
jambs and a trefoiled ogee head; it is now blocked.
Inside the range is a 17th-century staircase with turned
balusters, square newels and close strings; across the
E. part of the range is a ceiling-beam with heavy curved
braces, perhaps of the 15th century; at the head of the
stairs on the first floor are two door-heads with sunk
cutting on the face, perhaps of the 17th century.
Extending at an angle S. from this range, under the
quadrangle, are the foundations of a narrow chamber
or building presumably of earlier date and of uncertain
purpose. The Library building forms the S. and W.
Ranges of the Quadrangle and was built in 1371–8; the
dormer-windows were added in and about 1623; the
ranges are of two storeys and ashlar-faced towards the
quadrangle; the ashlar alters in character above the
ground-floor windows, possibly indicating an intention
to erect a pentice along the front. The ground-floor,
towards the quadrangle, has in each range two 15th-century two-light windows with moulded reveals and
the cusping cut away; the other windows are of a
single four-centred light and of late 16th or early
17th-century date; one partly restored doorway in the
S. and two in the W. range are original and have
moulded jambs, two-centred arch and label; the
western doorway in the S. range is of the 15th century,
with moulded and shafted jambs and two-centred arch
in a square head with traceried spandrels and a label;
in it is hung a nail-studded door with strap-hinges.
The upper floor has in each range a series of partly
restored original windows, lighting the library; they
are each of a single cinque-foiled light; at the E. end
of the S. range is a window of two cinque-foiled lights
in a square head and at the N. end of the W. range is a
16th-century window of four four-centred lights.
Each range has two added dormer-windows of stone,
partly restored, and of c. 1623; they are in the form of
bay-windows with four four-centred and transomed
lights on the face and one on each splayed return; they
are finished with ornamented parapets and below the
sills are cartouches of the arms of the college. The S.
face of the S. range has a series of windows and doors
on the ground floor, largely modern, except for one
early 17th-century window of three four-centred lights
with a moulded label. On the first floor is a range of
original windows each of one trefoiled ogee light;
further E. is a much restored two-light window. The
gabled end of the W. range has an original window of
two cinque-foiled and transomed lights, with a quatrefoil in a two-centred head with a label. In the E. wall
is a modern oriel-window. The W. face of the W.
range has, at the N. end of the ground-floor, a doorway
opening into a passage and similar to the E. doorway
of the same passage; further S. is a series of windows,
some modern, some of the 16th century and some of
the 17th or 18th century. The first floor has a series
of original single-light windows similar to those on
the S. of the S. range; further N. is a 17th-century
three-light window and a blocked 15th-century window.
Inside the S. range, on the ground floor are two screens
incorporating much woodwork from the screen of
1671 formerly in the chapel and removed in 1851; they
include Corinthian pilasters and columns, carved archspandrels, cornices, architraves, etc.; other woodwork
from the chapel is also re-set in this range. At the N.
end of the W. range is an original passage with a
quadripartite stone vault of two bays; the ribs spring
from shafts with moulded capitals and bases; in the
S. wall is a 17th-century doorway. A room further S.
(the Bradley Library) has an open timbered ceiling.
The Library forms the greater part of the first floor of
the W. and the whole of the S. range and is approached
by a late 16th or early 17th-century staircase in the
S.W. angle of the quadrangle; it has a balustrade at
the top with turned balusters, tall turned posts with
finials and heavy upper and lower rails. The W. wing
of the library (Plate 144) was fitted up temp. Archbishop
Whitgift (1583–1604) and the S. wing in 1623. The
Library has a trussed-rafter roof, ceiled with boarding
on the soffit and divided into panels by moulded ribs;
the bosses are carved with leopards' heads, roses, badge
of three interlaced fishes and shields-of-arms of Henry
VII, the college and Fitzjames; it was erected in 1502–3.
The N. wall of the W. range has panelling of c. 1600
extending rather above the level of the roof-plates; it
is divided into bays by enriched Ionic pilasters and
finished with an enriched entablature; the panels are
also enriched and the lower range is arcaded; the
central panel has a cartouche with a lion's mask; the
central doorway has flanking pilasters and an enriched
panelled door; it is approached by a staircase of 1760;
the wall above the panelling has modelled plaster strapwork decoration enclosing two roundels and a lozenge;
the lozenge has the arms of the college with the initials
W.M. and the roundels the arms of Archbishop Whitgift and Sir Henry Savile, Warden (1586–1622). The
central corridor is paved with mediæval tiles, but the
slip-designs have been mostly worn away; on either
side are ranges of book-cases with moulded cornices,
fluted pediments and vases at the ends; the bookcases
were formerly fitted with rods and chains; the benches
have moulded edges and plain ends. Level with the N.
wall of the S. wing is an oak screen, with a central
archway and one bay on each side; the archway has
Doric side-columns supporting entablatures and an
elliptical arch with foliated spandrels and flanking
pilasters; above is a centre-piece of three graduated
bays with Doric columns, arcaded panels, entablatures,
pediments and ball-finials; the side bays of the screen
are panelled and finished with an enriched entablature
and simple pediment. The gabled S. wall of this
range has, flanking the window, painted strapwork
cartouches with defaced arms; the walls of the anglebay, between the wings, are lined with panelling
finished with a cornice. The S. wing was refitted in
1623 to match the W. wing; it is entered by a screen
similar to that in the W. range and the bookcases also
are of similar design; the N.W. case contains a few
chained books and retains the original lock and fitting
at the S. end. The E. end of this range is lined with
panelling and above the modern E. window is a plaster
strapwork enrichment with shields-of-arms of the
college with the initials W.M., Archbishop Abbot
(1610–33) and Nathaniel Brent, Warden (1622–51). In
the E. window are twelve panels of German glass
placed here in 1840; the panels have each a figure-subject from the Passion, various allegorical figures,
devices with merchants' marks and a shield-of-arms
and a series of names with the date 1598, the names are
as follows—Johan Sonnborn, Johan von Bebber,
Christian Marll, Woltter van Engers, Christian Suderman, Johan van Hon, Heinrich Dunwaldt, Anna
Hagenns, Johan Nummard, German Fritzen, Paul
Wimmer and Hauppertt Feirssen (?). The seven E.
windows of the W. wing are filled with grisaille, with
borders and an Agnus Dei in a roundel in the head of
each, except two which have a dragon with a sword
and the letter M respectively; the glass is of early
15th-century date. The sixth window from the N. in
the W. wall has various 15th and 16th-century fragments including a shield-of-arms of Beauchamp (?) and
various badges; the seventh window has 14th to
16th-century fragments including the initials Ihc, an
archer and a leopard's head jessant-de-lis. In the
quatrefoil of the S. window is a 14th-century shield-of-arms of Clare, with foliage and a border. In the
library is a late 13th or 14th-century chest (Plate 27) of
hutch-type, with scrolled ends to the straps and three
locks; one foot has a small pierced arch on the inner
side.
The Fellows' Quadrangle (102 ft. by 108 ft.) was built
in 1608–10, John Acroyd of Halifax and his partners
being the masons; the kitchen, however, seems to have
been re-built in 1606. The embattled parapet was
added to the quadrangle in 1622 and in 1680 the rooms
over the kitchen were converted into the Senior
Common Room. The building has been extensively
restored in recent years. The ranges are ashlar-faced
and of three storeys with attics and with a restored
embattled parapet towards the quadrangle; the doorways have four-centred arches in square heads and the
windows generally have moulded jambs, elliptical heads
to the lights and moulded labels. The E. Range has a
central stepped gable on the W. front and at the N. end
is a straight joint marking the junction with the earlier
work of Fitzjames. The E. front has a series of seven
gables to the attics; the chimney-stacks have been
restored or re-built. Inside the range the ground-floor
retains two original moulded beams. There are also
some 18th-century panelling, doors and architraves.
The S. Range has a central feature (Plate 194) in the
middle of the N. front; it consists of four stages
flanked by superimposed coupled columns of the Doric,
Ionic, Corinthian and Composite orders with enriched
pedestals and entablatures; in the ground stage is a
doorway with moulded imposts and four-centred
head; the second stage has two panels with shields-of-arms of the college and Savile; they are surmounted
by cusped panelling and flanked by empty niches of
Gothic form; the third stage has a large empty niche
with a Renaissance canopy and flanked by pairs of
trefoil-headed panels; the top stage has the royal arms
and initials of James I, flanked by panels as in the stage
below; the main cornice of the feature is surmounted
by a small central pediment with the date 1610. The S.
front of the range has six gables and the chimneystacks have been re-built; the central doorway has a
four-centred arch in a square head with panelled
spandrels. Inside the range, there are some original
moulded ceiling-beams and some 18th-century panelling; on the upper floors are two oak vases and
cartouches-of-arms of the college and Alexander
Fisher, from the former screen of the chapel; on the
second floor are two panels, perhaps of early 16th-century date, with the Tudor royal arms and those of
the college. The W. Range has a front to the quadrangle, generally similar to that of the E. range opposite.
The W. face has three gables, where it stands free of
the adjoining buildings. Inside the range, the passage
at the N. end retains a 17th-century nail-studded door
with strap-hinges and in the S. wall is a doorway with
a four-centred head and serving-hatch from the kitchen.
The Kitchen is two storeys high and has moulded ceiling-beams; the fireplaces have been altered. The Buttery
at the N. end of the first floor has a 17th-century
moulded ceiling-beam; the doorway to the Hall has
a two-centred head and is fitted with a 17th-century
door, with moulded ribs forming vertical panels; a
room, towards the S. end, has some 18th-century
fittings. The Senior Common Room, on the second
floor, was fitted up in 1680. The walls are lined with
bolection-moulded panelling with a dado-rail and an
entablature; the N. doorway has an enriched architrave
and above it is a cartouche of the arms of the college;
the fireplace (Plate 23) has an enriched panelled overmantel with drapery swags above and pendants of fruit
and flowers at the sides; on the middle of the entablature of the S. wall is a wreath enclosing a pheon for
Nicholl, with acanthus-scrolls. Rooms at the S. end
have 18th-century panelling. The common-room is
approached by a late 17th-century staircase, with
twisted balusters. At the head of the attic-staircase is
an early 17th-century newel with a turned terminal.
St. Alban's Hall stood immediately to the E. of the
Front Quadrangle. The front range was built in 1599
from the legacy of Benedict Barnham. St. Alban's
Hall was incorporated with Merton College in 1881
and a communicating corridor was formed between
the two buildings in 1883. The whole building, except
the N. range, was re-built in 1904–5 and a storey was
added to the old range at the same time. The N.
Range, formerly of two, is now of three storeys; the
walls are ashlar-faced. The much restored windows
have moulded jambs, elliptical heads to the lights and
moulded labels; the doorway has moulded imposts
and a semi-circular arch in a square head with rosettes
and leaves in the spandrels; flanking it are coupled
Doric columns supporting an entablature and segmental
pediment with an achievement-of-arms of Barnham.
In the N. boundary-wall, to the E. of St. Alban's
Hall, is a 16th-century doorway with moulded jambs
and four-centred arch in a square head; it is now
blocked.
The Summer House stands in the N.E. angle of the
gardens. It is a square stone building of two storeys,
erected in 1706–7 and the upper floor is approached on
the S. side by a flight of steps and a terrace. The doorway has moulded jambs and square head and is fitted
with a panelled door; it is flanked by windows and
the wall is finished with a cornice and parapet. Inside
the building, the upper floor is lined with bolection-moulded panelling with a cornice and dado-rail.
Condition—Good.