Part 1 (1/2)

The Oxford Degree Ceremony

by Joseph Wells

PREFACE

The object of this little book is to atte of our forms and ceremonies, and to sho much of University history is involved in them It naturally makes no pretensions to independent research; I have simply tried to reat book on the _Universities of the Middle Ages_, and in the Rev Andrew Clark's invaluable _Register of the University of Oxford_ (published by the Oxford Historical Society) My obligations to these two books will be patent to all who know theive definite references either to these or to Anstey's _Munimenta Academica_ (Rolls Series), which also has been constantly used

I have tried as far as possible to introduce the language of the statutes, whether past or present; the foriven in Latin and translated; in other cases a rendering has usually been given, but soinal has been retained, when the words were either technical or such as would be easily understood by all

The illustrations, hich the Clarendon Press has furnished the book, are its most valuable part Every Oxford lad to have the reproduction of the portrait of the fourteenth-century Chancellor and of the University seal

I have to thank Dr Rashdall and the Rev Andrew Clark for estions, and Professor Oman for special help in the Appendix on 'The University Staves'

JW

CHAPTER I

THE DEGREE CEREMONY

The streets of Oxford are seldoer who chances to pass through theree day, will be struck and perhaps perplexed by their unwonted anireat block of University buildings, which lie between the 'Broad' and the Radcliffe Square, alive with all sorts and conditions of Oxford men, arrayed in every variety of acade, sonified gown of the scholar, all wearing the dark coats and white ties usually associated with the 'Schools' and examinations, but with their faces free from the look of anxiety incident to those occasions Here and there are knots of Bachelors of Arts, in their aoith fur-lined hoods, soraduate days, others who have evidently allowed atheir acadee coown and hood, or if he be a Doctor, in the scarlet and grey of one of the new Doctorates, in the dignified scarlet and black of Divinity, or in the bold blending of scarlet and crie servants, with their arround, waiting to assist in the acade of their former masters, and to pocket the 'tips' which time-honoured custom prescribes

Presently, when the hour of ten has struck, the procession of acade across the Quad, the Vice-Chancellor preceded by his staves as the symbol of authority, the Proctors in their velvet sleeves and istrar (or Secretary) of the University

Already rees are to be given: others still lingering outside follow the Vice-Chancellor and the Proctors, and the cereinary spectator wish to see the cere admittance to the Sheldonian, even if he have delayed outside till the proceedings have corees are conferred in one of the ss, it is well to secure a seat beforehand, which can be done through any Master of Arts The ceremony ell repay a visit, for it is picturesque, it should be dignified, it is so But it is rees are preserved formulae as old as the University itself, and a ritual which, if understood, is full ofas to the oldest University history The formulae, it is true, are veiled in the obscurity of a learned language, and the ritual is often a ht may seem trivial and useless; but those who care for Oxford ish that every syllable and every form that has come down to us from our ancient past should be retained and understood It is to explain what is said and what is done on these occasions that this little book is written

[Sidenote: Notice of Degree Cererees at Oxford are conferred on days appointed by the Vice-Chancellor, of which notice is now given at the beginning of every ter notice, however, is still retained, in the tolling of the bell of St Mary's for the hour preceding the cererees are conferred is the Ancient House of Congregation (p

93) The old arrangement of the Laudian Statutes is still s commence with the entrance of the Vice-Chancellor and Proctors, while one of the Bedels 'proclaiistri, intretis' The Vice-Chancellor, when he has foration' It will be noticed that both the Vice-Chancellor and the two Proctors, as representing the elements of authority in the University (as will be explained later), wear their caps all through the cere]

Degree giving, however, is sometimes preceded and delayed by the confirmation of the lists of examiners who have been 'duly nominated' by the committees appointed for this purpose; it is of course natural that the saree should appoint the exaree now mainly depends A less reasonable cause of delay is the fact that the 'Congregation' is soeneral business, as a rule (but not always) of a foration, are usually made up of the sae from one to the other is her seat, with the words 'Dissolviatio'

[Sidenote: The Registrar's Declaration]

The degree cereistrar that the candidates for the degrees have duly received peres to present themselves, and that their names have been approved by hiister that all necessary examinations have been passed, and has been informed officially that all fees have been paid The names have been already posted outside the door of the House; it is said that this is done to enable a trades debtors is about to leave Oxford, so that he , however, is natural for many reasons, and no such tradesman's protest has been known for years; nor is it easy to see how it could be made by any one not hie Grace]

The forrace' states that the candidate has performed all the University requireiven as a specie _CD_, bear witness that _EF_ of the College _CD_, whom I know to have kept bed and board continuously within the University for the whole period required by the statutes for the degree of BA, according as the statutes require, since he has undergone a public examination and performed all the other requirements of the statutes, except so far as he has been dispensed, has received froed word to this University

_AB_, Dean of the College _CD_'

The words as to residence, that 'bed and board have been kept continuously' are derived immediately from the Laudian statute, but are in fact ed

[Sidenote: Order of Degrees]

The various degrees are then taken in the following order:--