Archives

The purpose of Oriel College Archives is to collect and maintain the documentary heritage of Oriel College, its constituent parts and its members. This archival heritage includes records of St Mary Hall, the Senior Common Room and the clubs and societies of the Junior Common Room. Its holdings range from 1150 to almost the present day.

However, the illuminated medieval manuscripts belonging to the College are no longer kept within the precincts of the College. These valuable items are deposited with the Bodleian Library.

Although there are various finding aids for the records held in Oriel College Archives, these do not conform to modern notions for cataloguing and describing archives. There is an on-going project to catalogue the College Archives following recognized standards. Where catalogues have been completed for some sections, these will be linked to the web-site so that searchers can see for themselves what is here. However, the College Archivist is always more than happy to answer any questions so please feel free to contact him.