What’s the first thing you think of when you think of Oxford’s history? Is it cars, or marmalade, or the Windrush generation? How about football, or carnivals, or medieval Jewish heritage? Oxford has a fascinating history, full of stories of the people, places and quirky customs that make the city such a special place.
Pottering about Roman style
Not many people think of Oxford as a place with Roman history, but remains of Roman activity have been found in the city. Most notably, ancient Roman Oxford had an active pottery trade. This pot is inscribed with the name ‘Tamesibugus’, which means ‘Thames dweller’.
Anglo-Saxon Oxford
The first written record of Oxford comes in 911-912, when the settlement of ‘Oxenaford’ (literally ‘a shallow place in the river where oxen could cross’) is mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. St Frideswide, Oxford’s patron saint, established a priory on the site where Christ Church cathedral stands today.
Town and Gown
Evidence of teaching in Oxford stretches all the way back to 1096. Oxford University has shaped many aspects of Oxford, including trade, sports and policing. The relationship between Town and Gown (referring to the robes worn by members of the University), has prompted unrest throughout the University’s history, and the Town-Gown relationship continues to evolve today.
Monumental Middle Ages
Many Oxford landmarks were established during the medieval period, including Oxford Castle and Carfax Tower. Oxford’s first Jewish community settled in an area known as Great Jewry (now St Aldates). As Christians were forbidden to lend money, Jewish financiers were essential to Oxford’s medieval economy. They helped to finance projects in the city and further afield, including Westminster Abbey.
Divided loyalties
King Charles I adopted Oxford as his capital in 1642, bringing his army with him and causing the city’s population to expand by 50%. Oxford suffered serious problems with overcrowding, disease and unrest. Charles eventually lost the battle over Oxford to Cromwell after the Parliamentarians successfully besieged the city on their third attempt.
At the crossroads of England
In 1790, Oxford canal was opened, bringing cheap coal from Coventry and revolutionising life and work in the city. Oxford’s canal trade would be eclipsed in the mid-19th century by the arrival of the Great Western Railway, which brought easy access to London. The legacy of Oxford’s canalboat community lives on today, with many people living and holidaying on Oxford’s waterways.
From bike to BMW
Morris Motors and the Pressed Steel Company employed thousands of people and transformed Oxford into a hub of motor manufacturing. In the 1920s and 30s, many people moved to Oxford to work in the booming car industry, particularly from former mining areas in South Wales, Yorkshire and Derbyshire. Many found homes in the newly-built Florence Park estate.
The Cutteslowe Walls
In 1934, walls were built which divided the Cutteslowe council estate from privately built middle-class homes. The 1930s saw a number of protests take place in Oxford, as people stood up against fascism and campaigned for their rights to decent housing and safe working conditions. Many protested for the demolition of the walls. They were finally demolished in 1959, 25 years after they were first put up.
Journeys to Oxford
Following the Second World War, many people emigrated to the UK. Their lives, work and families are part of the fabric of Oxford today.
Mr S Khan, whose family moved to Oxford from Wesa, Atuk in Pakistan, and Mr N Mohamed founded Royal Cars, which went on to become Oxford’s biggest taxi company.
Many people emigrated from the Caribbean, known as the Windrush generation, in search of work or following friends and family. There is a thriving Caribbean community, including many people from the Windrush generation and their descendants, living in Oxford today.
This is just some of Oxford’s history – there’s much more to discover at the Museum of Oxford and on our City Stories and Digital Exhibitions websites.
