Sheldonian Flashcards
Sheldonian - who built it?
The building behind us is the Sheldonian Theatre, one of the most important buildings at Oxford. It’s important because of who built it, and what it is used for.
So, who built it? It was an architect called Sir Christopher Wren.
Arguably one of the greatest of all British architects - but he is without a doubt the luckiest. Why is he the luckiest? Because he was the Surveyor General to Kings Charles II, during
the Great Fire of London, in 1666.
This was a terrible time to live in London, because a lot of it burnt down. But it was a great time to be an architect in London, because a lot of it burnt down.
Being the head architect to the King, he
would then get the opportunity to rebuild some of the most important parts of London, which simply no architect would ever get the opportunity to do since; his
most famous work is that of St Paul’s Cathedral whose magnificent Dome has dominated the London skyline for 250 years.
He was a student at Wadham College, also achieving his Masters before becoming a Fellow of All Souls.
Sheldonian - the roman weather
Christopher Wren was approached by Gilbert Sheldon, who wanted to create
University buildings for official ceremonies, such as conferring degrees.
It is likely that Wren’s interest in what was to become the Sheldonian Theatre, was originally as a mathematical and engineering problem, for his great achievement is in creating a vast floor space without the ceiling and roof having to be supported on obtrusive pillars.
Wren’s U-shaped design was based on the antique theatre of Marcellus in Rome with a stage at one end where the ceremonies could take place, while the spectators are arranged in a semicircle around the floor.
However, Roman theatres were open to the elements, and Wren needed to make a space with an open arena while also incorporating a permanent floor, walls and a ceiling.
As the building is so wide, the space could not be crossed by single wooden
beams, so the young architects came up with a convoluted series of trusses,
taking the strain from the roof into the walls. This device is hidden from spectators below by a ceiling.
Sheldonian - the two cermonies
Every student will visit the Sheldonian at least twice during their studies.
Firstly, for the matriculation ceremonies where they are officially entered into the University, and the degree ceremony when they finish their degrees.
You will also come here if you make it through to the final Degree Giving Ceremony.
You go inside this building, sit down on possibly the most uncomfortable seats in Oxford, for about 30-40 minutes; a lot of it is in Latin so no one has any idea what is being said. You listened to it very quietly, then stood up, shouted out some Latin, and left.
You are then officially a graduate of Oxford University!
Sheldonian - encaenia
We also have the annual ceremony of Encaenia held here, the high point of the academic year, when honorary degrees are given to respected academics from other universities, celebrities in the fields of arts and politics, and just occasionally, to businessmen who find the odd million to benefit the University.
Encaenia is held on the Wednesday of the ninth week of Trinity term and is the best time to see Oxford University in all its pomp and ceremony
Sheldonian - the heads
Wren commissioned William Bryd, the Oxford stonemason to carve the great
heads to stand in front of the Broad Street façade of the Sheldonian.
No-one knows for sure what they are meant to represent, but they are universally known as the Emperor Heads.
When the students are in a good mood, they will come down here with pink chalk to paint their lips, to make them look as though they are wearing lipstick.
