St Edmund Hall, Oxford

</div> St Edmund Hall is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Within the University, it is better known by its nickname, "Teddy Hall".

Like the University of Oxford itself, the precise date of establishment of St Edmund Hall is unknown; it is usually estimated at 1225. The college is named after St Edmund of Abingdon, Oxfordshire, the first known Oxford Master of Arts and the first Oxford-educated Archbishop of Canterbury, who lived and taught on the college site.

St Edmund Hall began life as one of Oxford's ancient Aularian houses, the medieval halls that laid the foundation of the University, preceding the creation of the first colleges. As the only surviving medieval hall, its members are known as "Aularians". St Edmund Hall took on the status of a college in 1957, though retaining the historic moniker of "Hall".

The college has a history of independent thought, which has brought it into regular conflict with both church and state. During the late 14th century and early 15th century, it was a bastion of the Wyclif heresy, for which college principal William Taylor was ultimately burnt at the stake. In the 17th century, it incurred the wrath of the crown for fostering nonjurors, men who remained loyal to the Scottish House of Stuart and who refused to take the oath to the German House of Hanover, whom they regarded as having usurped the British throne.

The student body has long been known for prowess in sport, especially rugby. More recently, it has also demonstrated strengths in journalism, drama, and student politics.

St Edmund Hall is based on a small central site on the north side of the High Street.

Notable former students

• Thomas Hearne
• Oronhyatekha
• Robin Day
• M. J. K. Smith
• Terry Jones
• Derek Morris
• Al Murray
• Richard Onslow, 1st Baron Onslow

See also Former students of St Edmund Hall.

College societies

• The Syndicate (St Edmund Hall, Oxford)

External links

• St Edmund Hall – official site
• St Edmund Hall – official history page

Categories: Colleges of the University of Oxford