|JOHN FLEMMYNGE, Bishop of Lincoln, was for the greater part of his life
a sympathiser with the Lollards; but on changing his opinions--for what
reason is not known--he founded a College for the express purpose of
training divines who should confute their doctrines. Such was the origin
of Lincoln College, in the year 1429.
Mr. Matthison's first picture shews the entrance to the College, as seen
from Turl Street. Farther on is a part of the front of Exeter, and
the spire of its Chapel, with Trinity in the background. Lincolns
entrance-tower dates from the Founder's time.
[Illustration: 0163]
[Illustration: 164]
The second gives the interior of the Front Quadrangle. Reference to old
engravings, such as that given in Chalmers' _History of the Colleges,
Halls, and Public Buildings of the University of Oxford_ (1810),
shews the battlements to be a modern addition, and anything but an
improvement.
The Chapel, which stands in the inner court, was built at the expense of
Dr. John Williams, Bishop of Lincoln and afterwards Archbishop of York,
and was consecrated on September 15, 1631. Its roof and wainscoting are
of cedar, the roof in particular being richly ornamented. The painted
windows are also noteworthy. Tradition says that they were bought by Dr.
Williams in Italy. That at the east end represents six principal events
of the gospel narrative, with their corresponding types in the Old
Testament. The following is the complete list:--The Creation of Man--the
Nativity of Christ; the Passage through the Red Sea--the Baptism of
Christ; the Jewish Passover--the Lord's Supper; the Brazen Serpent in
the Wilderness--the Crucifixion; Jonah delivered from the Whale--the
Resurrection; the Ascent of Elijah in the Chariot of Fire--the
Ascension.
John Wesley spent nine years in Lincoln College, being elected Fellow
in 1726. Among its members may be named Sir William Davenant, Poet
Laureate; and Dr. Robert Sanderson, Bishop of Lincoln, a man of great
piety, learning, and amiability, who forms the theme of one of Izaak
Walton's Lives. It is to him that our English Liturgy owes the beautiful
"Prayer for all Conditions of Men" and "General Thanksgiving." A recent
Rector of Lincoln was Mark Pattison, B.D., who might rival Sanderson
in learning, though not in the quality of forbearance. His Memoirs,
posthumously published, contained, with much that was of interest, some
unusually outspoken judgments upon his contemporaries in Oxford.