One of the lesser known treasures of Oxford is the collection of vestments at St John’s College. Usually understood to commence with Sir Thomas White as founder of the College in 1555 that are also associated in name at least with Archbishop William Laud, alumnus and munificent benefactor of St John’s, and who is buried in the chapel.
The collection includes not only liturgical vestments but also rare or probably unique survivals in the form of two banners used at the rededication of the college chapel at its foundation in 1555, and also Archbishop Laud’s skull cap.
The College has posted online a summary of the individual papers given at a recent two day conference on the collection at which a series of leading authorities spoke about the vestments and their historical context.
The account of the conference can be accessed at The Vestments Conference, in Review
It has a reminder that the vestments are available for public viewing on the Saturday of Seventh Week of each term. The collection is very well worth seeing if you are in or arrange to be in Oxford one of those days.
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