Rare artefacts related to the Founder exhibited as part of commemoration

Sunday 20th October marked the 700th anniversary of the birth of New College’s founder, William of Wykeham. Alongside other celebrations, guests had an opportunity to view a number of rare artefacts and documents, relating to William of Wykeham. 

William of Wykeham’s mitre 

William of Wykeham bequeathed his mitre and his episcopal rings to the College in 1403. A mitre is a headdress worn by bishops as a symbol of their office, in Wykeham’s case, displaying his position as Bishop of Winchester. 

Wykeham’s episcopal rings

Two of the Founder’s episcopal rings were also bequeathed to the College upon his death. The oldest item on display was a smaller gold and ruby ring, a gift to Wykeham by his predecessor at Winchester, Bishop Edington, who died in 1366 (ring not pictured).

Seal matrix, 1379

The Founder’s seal matrix was used for authenticating the College’s statutes and legal documents from when it was given by Wykeham up until 1932. It depicts the Annunciation, the figures of William of Wykeham and the three patron saints of Winchester Cathedral (St Swithin, St Peter and St Paul), and Wykeham’s coat of arms which were adopted as the college arms. 

Other artefacts exhibited relating to Wykeham included the ‘Founder’s Jewel’, though in fact, it was a gift to the College from the Winchester merchant Peter Hylle and his family in 1455. It takes the form of the letter M (Maria), and an annunciation shows the Archangel Gabriel and St Mary either side of a vase of lilies made from rubies, pearls and gold. 

Read more about the celebrations that took place to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the Founder’s birth here