Remarkable archival holdings dating from the 11th century onwards

New College preserves, develops, and provides access to rich and very extensive archives—which bear national Archive Service Accreditation status.

Since its foundation in 1379, New College has built up a considerable archive of historical material relating to the foundation and running of the College, and its estates, up to the present day.  (An account of New College’s history is available.)  The oldest documents date from the eleventh century, nearly three hundred years before the College was itself founded.  The archive also houses a number of collections of personal papers donated to the College by the families of former fellows and alumniExplore our Archives Gallery to view some of the visual highlights of our archives collections.  
 

 

Access

Researchers wishing to consult the archives should contact the Archivist & Records Manager, to enquire about the contents of the collections, and to make an appointment to visit:

Dr Michael Stansfield
Archivist & Records Manager
New College
University of Oxford
Holywell Street
Oxford  OX1 3BN

Email: archives@new.ox.ac.uk
 

Access to the Library and to the Archives within it entails a number of steps; please enquire about disabled access.  Food and drink are not permitted in the Archives.  Readers will be asked to complete a registration form for administrative and security purposes; please bring some ID which confirms name, address, and signature.
 

Opening Hours

The Archives & Records Reading Room is located in the College Library.  It is open, by prior appointment only, five days a week, Mondays to Fridays, 10.00 am–1.00 pm and 2.00 pm–5.00 pm, except during the general College closure period over Christmas.
 

Reprographics

Where appropriate, researchers may take their own photographs (without flash) for personal study and research purposes only—i.e. not for further dissemination or publication of any kind—subject to signing an application form.  Researchers wishing to publish materials from the Archives must obtain the permission of the College beforehand.

A small number of photocopies or scans of documents may be provided.

Photographs of some historic Oxfordshire estate maps may be viewed on the Oxfordshire History Centre’s Picture Oxon website.  

Images of a few of the College archives can be viewed and copies purchased from:

Bridgeman Images
17–19 Garway Road
London
W2 4PH

www.bridgemanimages.com/en-GB/
 

Books About New College’s History

  • William Poole and Christopher Skelton-Foord (eds.), Geometry and Astronomy in New College, Oxford: On the Quatercentenary of the Savilian Professorships 1619–2019 (Oxford: New College Library & Archives, 2019)
  • Matthew Jenkinson, New College School, Oxford: A History (Oxford: Shire Publications, 2013)
  • Christopher Tyerman (ed.), New College (London: Third Millennium, 2010)
  • Virginia Davis, William Wykeham: A Life (London: Hambledon Continuum, 2007)
  • John Buxton and Penry Williams (eds.), New College, Oxford, 1379–1979 (Oxford: New College, Oxford, 1979)
  • W. F. Oakeshott (ed.), Oxford Stone Restored: The Work of the Oxford Historic Buildings Fund, 1957–1974 (Oxford: Trustees of the Oxford Historic Buildings Fund, 1975), pp. 83–8
  • Francis W. Steer, The Archives of New College, Oxford: A Catalogue (London: Phillimore, 1974)
  • A. H. Smith, New College, Oxford, and its Buildings (London: Oxford University Press, 1952)
  • Christopher Woodforde, The Stained Glass of New College, Oxford (London: Oxford University Press, 1951)
  • Hereford B. George, New College, 1856–1906 (London: Henry Frowde, 1906)
  • Arthur Octavius Prickard, New College, Oxford (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1906)
  • Hastings Rashdall and Robert S. Rait, New College (London: F. E. Robinson, 1901)
  • Mackenzie E. C. Walcott, William of Wykeham and his Colleges (Winchester: D. Nutt, 1852)

For further sources on New College, Oxford—and our partner institution Winchester College—see New College Library’s Colleges of St Mary Winton Collection

Collections

 

New College Archive

Pre-New College Records

Personal Papers

 

 

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