New Inn Hall, Oxford facts for kids

Quick facts for kids New Inn Hall
Hannington Hall in St Peter's College, Oxford, the surviving part of New Inn Hall's Cramer Building.
University	University of Oxford
Location	New Inn Hall Street
Coordinates	51°45′08″N 1°15′37″W / 51.7522°N 1.2603°W / 51.7522; -1.2603
Latin name	Aula Novi Hospitii
Established	c. 1360
Closed	1887 (incorporated into Balliol College)
Principal	see below
Map
Location in Oxford city centre

New Inn Hall was one of the oldest and most important medieval halls at the famous University of Oxford. Think of these halls as early student hostels or small colleges. New Inn Hall was located on New Inn Hall Street in Oxford, England.

A Look Back: New Inn Hall's Story

The Very First Building: Trilleck's Inn

The story of New Inn Hall began with an even older building called Trilleck's Inn. This was a medieval hall for students, founded around 1360 by Bishop John Trilleck. After he passed away, the building was given to William of Wykeham, who was also a bishop. Later, in 1392, it became part of New College.

Becoming New Inn Hall

Around 1400 to 1420, students from a group called the Cistercians used the hall. Then, before 1476, the building was completely rebuilt and given a new name: the New Inn. This is how it became known as New Inn Hall.

As these inns grew into places where students learned and studied, New Inn Hall became especially known for its experts in law. Important people like Alberico Gentili, a top law professor, and Sir Daniel Donne, who was the first Member of Parliament (MP) for Oxford University, studied or taught here. Another famous law professor, Dr John Budden, was also connected to New Inn Hall.

During the First English Civil War, which was a big conflict in England, the university's valuable silver and gold items (called "college plate") were taken to New Inn Hall. They were melted down to make special coins known as "Oxford Crowns" to help fund the King's side in the war.

In 1833, John Cramer, who was the head of New Inn Hall at the time, built a new part called the Cramer Building. This was a hostel for students.

Joining Balliol College

In 1881, a new rule was made that New Inn Hall would join Balliol College. This merger happened in 1887. Balliol College took over New Inn Hall's student records from 1831 to 1887. They also received New Inn Hall's library, which had many law books from the 1700s. After the merger, the New Inn Hall buildings were used to house students who were training for the Indian Civil Service.

Becoming St Peter's College

Eventually, Balliol College no longer needed the New Inn Hall site, so it was put up for sale. In 1894, the Cramer Building was bought by Francis James Chavasse and W. Talbot Rice. They turned it into a missionary center and named it Hannington Hall.

Later, in 1929, Hannington Hall became part of a brand new college called St Peter's Hall. Today, it's known as St Peter's College. Francis Chavasse, who bought the building, was also the founder of this new college.

The rest of the New Inn Hall site was bought by the city council. The old buildings were taken down to make space for a new school called the Central Girls' School. Later, St Peter's College bought this school site as well.

Leaders of New Inn Hall: Principals

Many different people served as the head of New Inn Hall over the centuries. They were called "Principals." Here is a list of the people who held this important role: