Many thanks to Dr John Maddicott for leading a fascinating tour of Exeter College, Oxford on Monday 13th July. John is an Emeritus Fellow of the college and formerly Fellow and Tutor of medieval history & author of Founders and Fellowship: The Early History of Exeter College. He told us about the college’s history; its generations of architectural transformations; its pictures and its people.
After meeting in the Lodge, the party crossed the quad to the medieval tower, the earliest surviving part of the College, for an introduction to the foundation of the college and its earliest buildings. Returning to the main quad we looked at the 16th and 17th century buildings before going into the Hall to look at the best half dozen or so paintings. After exploring the garden and its history there was tea in the SCR (and more paintings to admire) before looking at William Morris materials in the Morris Room. Finally, we visited Gilbert Scott’s 19c. Chapel, with its Morris tapestry, various early Italian paintings, etc.
