Cardinal Wolsey's Kitchen, Christ Church College, Oxford. Watercolor. Source: Artistic Colored Views of Oxford. [Click on images to enlarge them.]
The foundation stone of Cardinal College, the name given to the new institution, was laid in 1525, and the building went forward rapidly. Much of Wolsey’s work may be traced. The kitchen was first to be completed, just as it is at present, with its two great ranges, one with a wide open fire and spits worked by a jack, while on the wall above hangs Wolsey’s gridiron.
The Western Front, facing St. Aldate’s
The Great Gate to the height of the small towers on either side, the western front, facing St Aldate’s, to where a break in the masonry indicates the commencement of later work; the corner turrets at each end of the façade, with the Cardinal’s hat and two pillars set saltire-wise, Wolsey’s favourite emblem; the solid oaken stairs and doorways in the two stair cases to the south and the first to the north of the Great Gate; the hall, in the west window of which is some of the original glass; the main staircase leading up into the hall lobby; and the beautiful vault of fan tracery in the cathedral (p.124)
Left: The Hall Staircase. RightThe Hall Interior. Both by W. G. Blackall. c. 1920.
Bibliography
Lang, Elsie M. The Oxford Colleges. London: T. Werner. HathiTrust online version of a copy in the University of Michigan Library. Web. 8 November 2022.
Wells, J.. The Charm of Oxford. Illustrated by W. G. Blackall. 2nd ed. London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton Kent & Co., [c.1920]. Internet Archive version of a copy in St. Michael's College Toronto. 3 October 2012.
Last modified 28 November 2022