|JESUS COLLEGE since its birth in 1571 has always been closely connected
with Wales. Queen Elizabeth, who did not forget her Welsh ancestry, and
"took no scorn," perhaps, "to wear the leek upon Saint Tavy's day," was
willing to accept from Hugh Price, its actual originator, the honorary
title of Founder. The College possesses three portraits of this
sovereign, as well as pictures of Charles I. and Charles II. (who were
benefactors).
The buildings are in the late Gothic style. The two illustrations shew
different aspects of the Front Quadrangle, which conveys an impression
of beauty and restfulness.
The Chapel is interesting. Above the entrance is a Latin inscription,
signifying "May prayer ascend, may grace descend." Within are the tombs
of Dr. Henry Maurice, Professor of Divinity, 1691; Sir Edward Stradling,
a colonel in Charles I.'s army, 1644; and several Principals of the
College:--Dr. Francis Mansell, who held that office three times; Sir
Eubule Thelwall, Principal from 1621 to 1630; and Sir Leoline Jenkins,
appointed in 1661. First appointed in 1620, Dr. Mansell resigned the
following year in favour of Thelwall, who had completed the building of
the College. His second term of office was cut short in Commonwealth
days, but he was reinstated at the Restoration; the only Head of a
College, perhaps, who underwent such repeated vicissitudes. Sir Leoline
Jenkins did much to repair the damages which the College suffered in the
Civil Wars.
The service in the Chapel on Wednesday and Friday evenings is entirely
in the Welsh language.
Distinguished members in the past of Jesus College were Henry Vaughan,
the poet; "Beau Nash," the arbiter of fashion in Bath; Lloyd of St.
Asaph, one of "the Seven Bishops"; and J. R. Green, the historian.
Were Sir Hugh Evans and Fluellen, those embodiments of Welsh humours,
suggested by Jesus men? We may think so, if we will; for Shakespeare is
known to have visited Oxford, and is quite as likely to have picked up
his Welshmen there as anywhere else.
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