Hidden manuscript from 1598, published

Hidden Manuscript From 1598, Published

The Bodleian Library in Oxford has a new addition to its impressive collection. Deep in the bowls of Burford Church some of the first works by Elizabeth Cary were found in 1970s. Finally this manuscript has no been published. The piece, which is translation from French of Orelius, a world atlas, is now being kept in the Bodleian Library.

Dr Lesley Peterson notes that it "is very fragile. It is being preserved in a climate-controlled space". The magic of the Bodleian seems like a suitable environment for the work of a woman who is credited for having written the first original tragedy in English by a Woman. Dr Peterson has a deep knowledge of the writer, having spent 10 years researching the writer, and factors which influence her writing.

Find out more about Oxford and it's literary connections on a private Oxford literary tour!

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Oxford Magic and Mystery

Oxford Magic and Mystery

People come to Oxford to see the Harry Potter film locations and hear eerie tales of ghosts and weird and wonderful goings-on in past centuries. But fans of magic - the Hogwarts variety and others - might be interested to know that Oxford has links with real magicians, alchemists and mystics of the past. In the 13th century Roger Bacon, philosopher and early scientist, practised alchemy in his laboratory at Folly Bridge, and is supposed to have invented gunpowder and the telescope long before anyone else in Europe. The renaissance scholar and mystic, Giordano Bruno, came and lectured in Oxford in the 1580's, trying to convince the learned doctors of the university of his theories about the universe and his idea that there was an infinite number of worlds inhabited by intelligent beings. Unfortunately they weren't impressed and didn't offer him the teaching job he was after, so he went back to Italy - a big mistake, as he was tried and burnt at
the stake there for heresy by the Catholic church.

Elias Ashmole, founder of the Ashmolean Museum, was a fan of alchemy  and astrology, and if you go into the Old Ashmolean (now the Museum of the History of Science) and turn left at the entrance, you will find a cabinet with some strange magical objects in it that belonged to Doctor John Dee - famous astronomer, astrologer and occultist in the reign of Elizabeth I, including his 'magic table' and crystal ball with which he conversed with spirits and angels in his search for ultimate knowledge. His skills helped him choose the most auspicious date for Elizabeth's coronation - clearly very successfully, as she reigned gloriously for many years and survived assassination attempts and invasions - but unfortunately they didn't work for himself as well, as his house with its great collection of books was ransacked by a mob while he was away in Europe seeking the Philosopher's Stone, the Queen never gave him the plum job he was hoping for, and he ended up broke and destitute, living on into the time of James I and possibly ending up as the model for Shakespeare's Prospero, in 'The Tempest'.

 Which just shows that magic doesn't always produce the results you expect - be careful, all you Harry Potter fans! Why not take a Harry Potter Tour of Oxford, to find out more about the Oxford magic and mystery?

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Oxford in the Snow

Oxford in the Snow

After a summer and autumn of massive rainfall and flooding, Oxford is now under a thick blanket of snow - a bit of a relief, really! It does make daily life a bit more of an effort, but the kids love it! The other day on Port Meadow, the huge water-meadow by the river north of the city, they were all out with their sleighs, toboggans, bits of plastic and skateboards (!) hurtling down the slope by the railway, falling over, getting covered in snow and soaking wet, and having a whale of a time! Also, of course, the snow greatly enhances the beautiful architecture of our city - all the ancient Gothic college buildings and majestic churches have many nooks and crannies for the snow to lodge in, which brings out the detail, the gargoyles are crowned with icicles, and the whole effect is somehow even more ancient and timeless than ever. Fantastic for photography. More snow is forecast for the next week, but through it all the dauntless and intrepid guides of Footprints Tours will be soldiering on with the daily free tours, plus Harry Potter tours, literary tours and other delights, regardless of blizzards and tempests! So dress up warm, bring your crampons, skis, sledges etc. with you if you like, and you can come and join us!

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Heart Drug Makes People Less Racist

This is a rather interesting story concerning Oxford University researchers, who state that after giving 18 people propanolol, they became less racist.

Of course, like any study, it isn't as simple as that. It relates back to the subconscious racial bias, less noticeable than any concious racial bias. However, the grading system (Implicit Attitude Test) found that other given a placebo effect showed no such affect.

Researchers note that it cuts the racial bias because it blocks the non-conscious fear responses on which racism is based.

More found about this here , along with image source. 

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Student rejects Magdalen College, in a humorous way..

A story that has received a lot of press in the UK, is about Elly Nowell, who decided to reject Magdalen College at Oxford University. While that might sound like a bizarre set of events, after making her application, she decided to pull it. On doing so, she wrote a rather humorous letter, satirising the standard Oxford rejection letter, received by thousands of students:

"I very much regret to inform you that I will be withdrawing my application."

"I realise you may be disappointed by this decision, but you were in competition with many fantastic universities and following your interview I am afraid you do not quite meet the standard of the universities I will be considering."

She goes on to note, "while you may believe your decision to hold interviews in grand formal settings is inspiring, it allows public school applicants to flourish... and intimidates state school applicants, distorting the academic potential of both".

She does say the email was not to be taken too seriously, much like the interview process. Not sure if we agree with the latter part of that idea...

More on this article can be found here.

Image source here.

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First Gay Pride Flag Flying Over An Oxford College

Wadham College was the proud supporter of "Queerweek", which is an occasion for talks and social events, hoy flying the rainbow flag above the 17th century college. This reportedly makes it the first Oxford College to do so, which is a good sign of Oxford moving with the times. The lights in the college's front quad were also turned pink. It was done so with the full support of the college dean and governing body .

Article and photo source (Ross Brooks) here

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Festive Season

For all those with dreams of snow, Santa and presents here are a few ideas to get into the spirit of things:

On 2nd December, Oxford will see the Christmas lights being turned on. This will happen at 18.30 GMT, with a lantern procession involving 400 people taking place just before. There are expected to be 20,000 people in total with music and street performance on Broad Street. So best get in your eggnog and malt wine early to avoid disappointment.

Blenheim Palace will also play host to some good events in the run up to Christmas. More information on them, can be found here.

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