Christ
Church is the largest college of the University of Oxford in England.
It owes much of its size and importance to Henry VIII who in 1532
found it as King Henry VIII's College. For a king it had to be bigger
and grander than the other colleges.
Henry VIII as part of the reorganisation of the Church of England
made Christ Church the cathedral of the then recently created diocese
of Oxford.
Today Christ Church is still the largest of Oxford's colleges.
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Christ
Church |
Christ
Church is popular today as a visitor attraction partly because of
its links with Harry Potter and Lewis Carroll.
Many of the scenes in the Harry Potter feature films are shot in various
locations of the College. As you walk around the cloisters and quadrangles
scenes from the films will come alive. The Great Hall was replicated
in the film studios to create Hogwart's Hall. |
In
1851, Charles Dodgson came to Christ Church to study mathematics.
He spent the rest of his life at Oxford as a student and teacher.
He was given the writing name - "Lewis Carroll," by the
editor of student paper..
It was at Christ Church that Dodgson first met the children of the
then Dean (head of the College), one of which was called Alice
Dodgson told the children stories using Christ Church as reference
in the adventures in Wonderland!.
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Christ
Church Cathedral |
Christ
Church can be visited although it is very much a working college.
The Hall can sometimes be closed between 12 midday and 2 p.m and the
Cathedral closes for choir practice every day at 4:45 p.m and at anytime
University business may prohibit access.
However, Christ Church is one of the most accessible of colleges with
much to interest. |
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