In 1525, the Lord Chancellor of England and Cardinal Archbishop of York, Thomas Wolsey, founded a new College on the site of Oxford’s ancient St Frideswide’s Priory. Wolsey’s project was grand in both its physical size and its academic aims, designed to show his contemporaries the power and influence he held from the King and the Pope, and to combat Lutheran heresy. After Wolsey’s fall, all appeared lost, but it was the statutes and site of Cardinal College that formed the base on which Christ Church would be established by King Henry VIII in 1546 as a unique joint foundation of college and diocesan cathedral.

This exhibition celebrates 500 years since the foundation of Cardinal College and is a unique opportunity to see some of Christ Church’s oldest and rarest items along with items generously lent by other institutions including a beautiful manuscript Book of Hours which is said to have belonged to Wolsey himself. 

A special alumni preview will take place between 12pm and 1pm from 23 to 26 June. Watch to find out what's in store here!