Oxford - general view - early undivided back Friths postcard c.1899

Postcard
• Picture / Image:  Oxford - a general view of the city. This is an early undivided back postcard - these were the norm before the rules changed on writing the message on the address side in 1902
• Publisher:  Friths - [in my experience these cards date from around 1899-1900]
• Postally used:  no
• Stamp:  n/a
• Postmark(s): n/a
• Sent to:  n/a
• Notes / condition:  excellent for age 

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Image may be low res for illustrative purposes - if you need a higher definition image then please contact me and I may be able to send one.

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NOTE: All postcards are sent in brand new stiffened envelopes which I have bought for the task. These are specially made to protect postcards and you may be able to re-use them. In addition there are other costs to sending so the above charge is not just for the stamp!

I will give a full refund if you are not fully satisfied with the postcard.

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Text from the free encyclopedia WIKIPEDIA may appear below to give a little background information (internal links may not  work) :

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Oxford (/'?ksf?rd/,^[4][5]) is a city in central southern England. It is the county town of Oxfordshire, and forms a district within the county. It has a population of 150,200, and lies within the Oxford metropolitan area with a population of 244,000^[6]. Oxford is one of the UK's fastest growing cities, in terms of population.^[7]

Oxford has a diverse economic base. Its industries include motor manufacturing, education, publishing and a large number of information technology and science-based businesses.

The city is known worldwide as a university town and home of the University of Oxford, the oldest university in the country and the English-speaking world.^[8]

Buildings in Oxford demonstrate an example of every English architectural period since the arrival of the Saxons, including the iconic, mid-18th-century Radcliffe Camera. Oxford is known as the ""city of dreaming spires"", a term coined by poet Matthew Arnold in reference to the harmonious architecture of Oxford's university buildings.

Oxford was first settled in Saxon times, and was initially known as ""Oxenaforda"", meaning ""Ford of the Oxen""; fords were more common than bridges at that time.^[9] It began with the foundation of an oxen crossing in the early 900 AD period. In the 10th century Oxford became an important military frontier town between the kingdoms of Mercia and Wessex and was on several occasions raided by Danes.

Oxford was heavily damaged during the Norman Invasion of 1066. Following the conquest, the town was assigned to a governor, Robert D'Oyly, who ordered the construction of Oxford Castle to confirm Norman authority over the area. The castle has never been used for military purposes^{[dubious – discuss]} and its remains survive to this day. D'Oyly set up a monastic community in the castle consisting of a chapel and living quarters for monks (St George in the Castle). The community never grew large but it earned its place in history as one of the oldest places of formal education in Oxford. It is there that in 1139 Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote his History of the Kings of Britain, a compilation of Arthurian legends.^[10]

In 1191, a city charter stated in Latin,^[11]

""Be it known to all those present and future that we, the citizens of Oxford of the Commune of the City and of the Merchant Guild have given, and by this, our present charter, confirm the donation of the island of Midney with all those things pertaining to it, to the Church of St. Mary at Oseney and to the canons serving God in that place.

""Since, every year, at Michaelmas the said canons render half a mark of silver for their tenure at the time when we have ordered it as witnesses the legal deed of our ancestors which they made concerning the gift of this same island; and besides, because we have undertaken on our own part and on behalf of our heirs to guarantee the aforesaid island to the same canons wheresoever and against all men; they themselves, by this guarantee, will pay to us and our heirs each year at Easter another half mark which we have demanded; and we and our heirs faithfully will guarantee the aforesaid tenement to them for the service of the aforesaid mark annually for all matters and all services.

""We have made this concession and confirmation in the Common council of the City and we have confirmed it with our common seal. These are those who have made this concession and confirmation.""

(There follows a list of witnesses, ending with the phrase, ""... and all the Commune of the City of Oxford."")

Oxford's prestige was enhanced by its charter granted by King Henry II, granting its citizens the same privileges and exemptions as those enjoyed by the capital of the kingdom; and various important religious houses were founded in or near the city. A grandson of King John established Rewley Abbey for the Cistercian Order; and friars of various orders (Dominicans, Franciscans, Carmelites, Augustinians, and Trinitarians), all had houses at Oxford of varying importance. Parliaments were often held in the city during the 13th century. The Provisions of Oxford were instigated by a group of barons led by Simon de Montfort; these documents are often regarded as England's first written constitution.

type=printed postcards

theme=topographical: british

sub-theme=england

county/ country=oxfordshire

number of items=single

period=pre - 1914

postage condition=unposted