Brasenose College | College History and University Clothing

Brasenose College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford. It was founded in 1509, with the library and chapel added in the mid 17th century. This college is home to one of the oldest rowing clubs in the world, Brasenose College Boat Club. This college was founded on the site of Brasenose Hall, a medieval academic hall. Its name is believed to derive from the name of a brass or bronze knocker that adorned the hall’s door.

The 1970s saw considerable social change in Brasenose. It became one of the first men’s colleges to admit women as full members. Brining an end to 470 years of the college as a men only institution. Other previously all-male colleges that began admitting women in 1974 were Jesus College, Hertford, St Catherine's, and Wadham.

Brasenose faces the west side of Radcliffe Square opposite the Radcliffe Camera in the centre of Oxford. The college is also physically linked to Lincoln College through a connecting door, through which Brasenose College members are permitted to enter Lincoln College on Ascension Day each year. The door is opened for five minutes and it is the only time during the year that this door is unlocked. Brasenose members are then served an ale by Lincoln College, which is traditionally flavoured with ground ivy. 

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