What is Merton College, Oxford?
'''Merton College''' is one of the colleges of the [[University of Oxford]]. It was founded in 1264 by [[Walter de Merton]], who was the [[Chancellor]] to [[Henry III]] and [[Edward I]]. It claims to be the oldest college in Oxford, although [[Balliol College, Oxford|Balliol College]] and [[University College, Oxford|University College]] also claim to be the oldest.<ref name=Martin>Martin, G.H. & Highfield, J.R.L. ''A History of Merton College''. Oxford University Press (1997) {{ISBN|0-19-920183-8}}</ref> [[File:Mob Quad from Chapel Tower.jpg|thumb|Mob Quad from Chapel Tower]] Construction of the college at its present location began in the 1270s. Its buildings are among the oldest in Oxford.<ref name=Martin/> Mob Quad at Merton College was built in the 14th Century. It is often said to be the oldest quadrangle at Oxford or Cambridge. Other quadrangles at Oxford and Cambridge, however, may be older. [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] was a professor of English Language and Literature at Merton College.<ref>Grotta, Daniel. ''J.R.R. Tolkien Architect of Middle Earth''. Running Press. (2001) pp. 64–. {{ISBN|978-0-7624-0956-3}}.</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} {{UK-stub}} [[Category:Colleges of the University of Oxford]] [[Category:1260s establishments in Europe]] [[Category:13th-century establishments in England]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Oxford]]