Date |
Event |
1086 |
By this date, the church of St Peter-in-the-East held the Manor of Holywell of Robert d’ Oilly |
c.1100 |
Chapel of St Cross (Holywell) was already in existence when the surviving chancel arch was built |
1294 |
Merton College became the owners of the Manor of Holywell |
Late 15C |
Benseval Street (the road running eastwards from Holywell Street) was taken into Magdalen College grove |
1578 |
Agas's map shows that Holywell Street was not yet established, but some houses had been built on what would become its north side |
1607 |
Thomas Franklin opened an inn with the sign of the King’s Arms on the corner of Parks Road and Holywell Street |
1643 |
Hollar's map shows Holywell Street in the process of being developed, with a row of houses at the western end of its south side, a a few properties further east |
1667 |
It was decided in the King’s Bench that Holywell was part of the city, so the Manor of Holywell ceased to be distinct from Oxford Poll tax was paid on a total of 431 people in the parish |
1688 |
Wood reports that Lord Lovelace led 200 horsemen with naked swords (all against the king) down past Wadham College and then along Holywell Street and Longwall to enter the city by the east gate. |
1742–8 |
Building of Holywell Music Room started in 1742; opened in 1748 |
1771 |
Holywell parish contained 131 houses at time of Survey of Oxford |
1801 |
Population of Holywell parish 731 |
1831 |
Population of Holywell parish 944 |
1836 |
Holywell Street was renumbered at some point between 28 May and 9 July 1836 |
1848 |
Holywell Cemetery consecrated |
1857 |
The Oxford Female Penitentiary moved to the Manor House |
1861 |
Population of Holywell parish: 945 |
1872–7 |
Phase 1 (west side) of New College development on Holywell by George Gilbert Scott |
1884 |
Phase 2 (east side) of New College development on Holywell by Basil Champneys |
1893 |
Mains electricity came to Holywell Street |
1894–8 |
Nos. 21–23 and Park Place replaced by Mansfield Road, linking Holywell to South Parks Road |
1896 |
Two blocks of New College’s Holywell range united by Champneys’ Robinson Tower over the Holywell entrance |
1929 |
The Oxford Female Penitentiary in the Manor House closed |
1933 |
The Manor House became a hostel for Balliol College students |
1975 |
Traffic gate erected at eastern end of Holywell Street to prevent through traffic |
2008 |
St Cross (Holywell) Church closed down |
2011 |
Balliol Historic Collections Centre opened in the former St Cross Church |
Above: Only three roads now meet at the Holywell crossroads
(Longwall Street, Holywell Street, and St Cross Road (formerly Church Road).
The fourth, Benseval Street, was taken into Magdalen College grove in the late fifteenth century
Below: Copy of the 1666 Terrier of Holywell (Historic England HT11339):
Holywell Street on the 1876 Street Plan of Oxford (view with Full Screen)