The St Scholastica Day riot breaks out in Oxford, England, leaving 63 scholars and perhaps 30 locals dead in two days.

The St Scholastica Day Riot: A Defining Medieval Conflict in Oxford

The St Scholastica Day riot, one of the most violent and historically significant clashes between townspeople and university members in medieval England, erupted in Oxford on 10 February 1355. This infamous event, occurring on Saint Scholastica's Day, profoundly shaped the relationship between the University of Oxford and its host city for centuries to come.

The Spark at Swindlestock Tavern: A Dispute Over Wine

The disturbance originated from a seemingly trivial complaint at the Swindlestock Tavern, a prominent establishment located at Carfax, the historical and commercial heart of Oxford. Two University of Oxford students, often identified as Walter de Springheuse and Roger de Chesterfield, voiced their dissatisfaction with the quality of the wine served to them, allegedly claiming it was substandard or watered down. This complaint quickly escalated into a heated quarrel with the taverner, a man named John Croidon. Words soon gave way to blows, drawing in other customers who sided with either the students or the townsfolk. What began as a bar brawl rapidly spiraled into a full-scale melee, setting the stage for widespread violence.

Three Days of Unrest: From Brawl to Brutality

The initial bar brawl proved to be merely the catalyst for a three-day reign of terror across Oxford. The deep-seated animosity between the privileged, often unruly students (known as "gown") and the local townsfolk ("town") exploded into open warfare. Armed gangs from the surrounding countryside were called in to support the townspeople, indicating a degree of pre-meditation or at least well-established local alliances. University halls and student accommodations became targets, subjected to raids, with their inhabitants brutally murdered. Disturbing reports from the time even suggest that some clerics were scalped, highlighting the extreme barbarity of the violence. By the time the riot subsided, estimates suggest around 30 townsfolk had lost their lives, while a significantly higher number—up to 63 members of the university community—perished. This disproportionate casualty count underscored the vulnerability of the scholarly population.

Historical Precedent: A Legacy of Town-Gown Conflict

The St Scholastica Day riot was not an isolated incident but rather the climax of a long history of violent disagreements between Oxford's townspeople and its university students. These conflicts were endemic to medieval university towns, fueled by a complex interplay of factors:

Earlier events had set a grim precedent. For instance, between 1297 and 1322, 12 out of 29 coroners' courts in Oxford investigated murders committed by students, illustrating the persistent violence. More significantly, the very foundation of the University of Cambridge in 1209 directly resulted from a mass exodus of scholars from Oxford. This migration followed the lynching of two students by Oxford citizens, showcasing how such conflicts could dramatically alter the landscape of English higher education.

Royal Intervention and Severe Penalties: King Edward III's Judgement

In the aftermath of the devastating riots, King Edward III swiftly intervened to restore order and deliver justice. He dispatched judges to Oxford with commissions of oyer and terminer – special legal commissions empowered to "hear and determine" major crimes and disturbances. The King's ruling decisively favored the University authorities, a reflection of the Crown's strategic interest in supporting a stable and thriving intellectual institution. The university was granted significant additional powers and responsibilities, substantially diminishing the authority of the town's governance. The punitive measures against the town were severe:

A Centuries-Long Penance and Modern Reconciliation

Beyond the immediate penalties, an enduring annual penance was imposed on the town of Oxford, serving as a perpetual reminder of the riot and the university's supremacy. Each year, on St Scholastica's Day, the mayor, bailiffs, and sixty leading townspeople were compelled to attend a Mass at the historic University Church of St Mary the Virgin. This service was held specifically to commemorate those members of the university who had been killed during the riots. Furthermore, the town was mandated to pay the university a symbolic fine of one penny for each scholar who had perished. This humiliating practice, a ritualistic acknowledgment of guilt and subservience, persisted for an extraordinary 470 years, finally being abolished in 1825.

The deep-seated historical antagonism began to heal much later. In 1955, on the 600th anniversary of the riots, a significant act of conciliation took place between the university and the city. In a gesture of goodwill and reconciliation, the mayor of Oxford was awarded an honorary degree by the university, while the vice-chancellor of the university was made an honorary freeman of the city. This exchange marked a symbolic end to centuries of contention, paving the way for a more cooperative and harmonious relationship between Oxford's "town and gown."

Frequently Asked Questions About the St Scholastica Day Riot

What was the primary cause of the St Scholastica Day riot?
The riot was triggered by a dispute between two Oxford University students and a taverner over the quality of wine served at the Swindlestock Tavern. This initial brawl quickly escalated due to underlying, long-standing tensions between the university community ("gown") and the townspeople ("town").
How long did the St Scholastica Day riot last?
The violence and disturbances associated with the St Scholastica Day riot continued over a period of three days, from 10 February to 12 February 1355.
What were the immediate consequences of the riot for the town of Oxford?
King Edward III heavily penalized the town. It was fined 500 marks, its mayor and bailiffs were imprisoned, and a year-long ecclesiastical interdict was imposed by the Bishop of Lincoln, banning most religious services. The university gained significant additional powers over the town.
How many people were killed during the St Scholastica Day riot?
Approximately 30 townsfolk and up to 63 members of the university community were killed during the three days of violence.
What is "town and gown" rivalry in the context of medieval universities?
Town and gown rivalry refers to the historical conflicts, often violent, between the residents of a university town (the "town") and the students and faculty of the university (the "gown"). These rivalries were driven by economic competition, jurisdictional disputes (students often claimed clerical exemptions from civil law), and cultural differences.
When did the annual penance imposed on Oxford after the riot finally end?
The annual penance, which required civic leaders to attend a commemorative Mass and pay a symbolic fine, continued for over 470 years before finally being dropped in 1825.
How did the University of Cambridge originate in relation to conflicts in Oxford?
The University of Cambridge was established in 1209 by scholars who fled Oxford after a previous violent incident where two students were lynched by the town's citizens, demonstrating a pattern of severe town-gown conflicts in Oxford even before the St Scholastica Day riot.
Was there ever a reconciliation between the city and university of Oxford after the riot?
Yes, a significant act of conciliation occurred in 1955, on the 600th anniversary of the riots. The mayor of Oxford received an honorary degree from the university, and the university's vice-chancellor was made an honorary freeman of the city, symbolizing an end to centuries of historical animosity.