Page:Literary Landmarks of Oxford.djvu/191

 MERTON

claims to be the Mother of the Colleges of Oxford. It was founded in 1264, by Walter de Merton, at Malden, in Surrey; and ten years later it was removed to Oxford, where its Founder established it as a precedent for all the colleges, and made its constitution a model for the other institutions in both the English Universities.

Ingram, in his "Memorials of Oxford," says: "The students were no longer dispersed through the streets and lanes of the city, dwelling in isolated houses, halls, inns or hostels, subject to dubious control and precarious discipline; but placed under the immediate superintendence of tutors and governors; and lodged in comfortable chambers. This was little less than an academical revolution; and a new order of things may be dated from this memorable era." Wade adds that not only was the first Common-room fitted up at Merton, but that Merton established the first College Library.

Murray's "Guide," usually reliable, says that the present Common Room, at Merton, dating from 1667, is the oldest now standing in the 157