[Illustration: 0236]
|ARCHBISHOP CHICHELE'S College of St. Bernard, established by him in
1437 and suppressed by Henry VIII., occupied the site of what is now St.
John's College. One reminder of the older foundation is the statue of
St. Bernard, which still stands in the Tower over the Gateway. This
Gateway, sketched from St. Giles', forms the subject of the second
illustration. The Hall and Chapel too, though much altered in later
times, were in the first instance used by the Cistercians.
St. John's was founded by Sir Thomas White, Lord Mayor of London, in
1555. His portrait hangs in the Hall, as well as those of Laud and
Juxon, successively Presidents of the College and Archbishops of
Canterbury, and that of George III. St. John's was devoted to the Stuart
cause, so it may be supposed that the likeness of the Hanoverian king
was not hung without compunctions on the part of senior members. The
Library contains a portrait of Charles I., and statues of him and of his
queen face each other in the Inner Quadrangle.
Reference has been already made to the second illustration. The first
shews the exterior of the Front Quadrangle, sketched from within the
walled row of elm trees. This Quadrangle was only finished in 1597, when
its eastern side (facing the Gateway) was built.
The Inner Quadrangle, which was begun at the same date and completed
in the first half of the seventeenth century, is, from an architectural
point of view, of unusual interest. The visitor may naturally inquire
what two classical colonnades are doing in a Gothic quadrangle. There is
no more satisfactory reply than that the architect, Inigo Jones, made a
somewhat bold experiment, combining Italian reminiscences with a Gothic
scheme. Individual taste may determine how far he was successful;
probably most critics will admire the colonnades in themselves, but
think them out of place where they are. Laud furnished the funds for
Inigo Jones' work, but happily the pair excluded the Italian element
from their Garden Front, which is certainly one of the most beautiful
things in Oxford. Diverse as are the judgments which have been passed
upon Laud's character and actions, there cannot be two opinions as to
the beauty and fitness of this building, nor could any Head of a College
desire a worthier memorial. Coming up to St. John's as a scholar in
1590, Laud became President in 1611, and on the completion of his
new buildings had the honour of receiving King Charles I. and Queen
Henrietta Maria as his guests. Full of stress as his life was, and
tragic as was its end, his most peaceful hours were probably passed
within the walls of the Foundation which his generosity did so much to
adorn. His body, which had been buried in London after his execution,
was brought to St. John's at the Restoration, and laid to rest, as he
had desired, beneath the altar in the Chapel. The Library contains a
valuable collection of ecclesiastical vestments which are said to be his
gift.
[Illustration: 0239]
[Illustration: 0240]
The third and fourth illustrations shew the north and south ends of the
Garden Front. The open window in Mrs. Waltons sketch is that of the room
occupied by Laud.
The Garden is among the most delightful in Oxford; and for beauty and
diversity of flowers it certainly bears the palm. Like the garden at
Wadham, it was formerly laid out in the stiff Dutch style.
Sir Thomas White, the Founder, was a member of the Guild of Merchant
Taylors; and a considerable number of the scholarships are given to
members of that Company's London school.
[Illustration: 0243]