AncientPages.com - On February 10, 1355, the so-called St Scholastica Day Riot took place in Oxford, England.
The students complained about the quality of the ales they were drinking, which led to assaults.
Oxford. Image creddit: WolfBlur - Pixabay
The landlord, John Barford, who was at the time the Mayor of the town, replied with many unpleasant words. He was hit on the head by a tankard thrown by a student. As a result of this action, he went to St Martin's, the City Church, and rang the bell to gather the townspeople to arms.
A 'disagreement' between the Oxford students and the Oxford inhabitants resulted in approximately 100 deaths and permanently soured the relationship between 'town and gown.'
The next day, Barford rode into the countryside, seeking support, and gathered 2,000 men, who entered the city and broke into the colleges, killing students, and although the students fought back, a total of 63 were killed. The townspeople suffered a death toll of about 30.
The king, Edward III, ordered an investigation, which favored the University. It was necessary to swear an oath to observe the University's privileges and, if that were not enough, to pay an annual fine of 63 pence to the University.
St. Scholastica’s Day Riots as depicted on a 1907 postcard. Image credit: Howard Davie (1868-1943) - Public Domain
The Mayor and Bailiffs were instructed to walk bareheaded through the town and attend a Mass for the souls of the dead on every subsequent St Scholastica's Day.
When the annual processions were made, the students jeered and pelted the Mayor and his entourage. In 1825, the Mayor refused to go ahead with the ceremony, and the University authorities took no action, so the annual procession ceased. Over the years, many petitions were made to the Crown, asking for the penance to be lifted.
Relations between students and townies at Oxford have never been good since that time, and even today, there are unofficially designated student and townie pubs.
