Balliol College and It's Female Co-founder

One of the oldest colleges at Oxford has a rather interesting history behind it's creation, which is just coming to light. While it's true, John De Balliol was spurned into establishing the prestigious institution in 1263 after insulting the Bishop of Durham, the lesser known character in this story is Dervorguilla of Galloway, his widow.

Perhaps of more interest than her rather peculiar name is that after her husband died, she kept his heart in a silver casket. Yes. In a silver casket.

She managed to out live John by 20 years, during which time she made sure that the intentions of John De Balliol were realised, and the college began to blossom. Originally set up for 20 students studying philosophy and mathematics, it would go onto be a beacon of light at the center of the University and its development over the centuries.

Your probably wondering, what happened to John's heart when she died? It was buried with Dervorguilla in Sweetheart Abbey in Scotland. For more tales of intrigue take our Oxford walking tour!

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