Merton College (Oxford)
Merton College is one of the colleges that make up the world famous and historic Oxford University.
It is situated in Merton Street.
Merton is one of the serious claimants to be regarded as the oldest of the Oxford colleges. It was founded in 1274 by Walter de Merton, who rose to be Lord Chancellor, and wanted to facilitate his many nephews attending Oxford.
During its first century, Merton produced four Archbishops of Canterbury.
The college bell was for seven centuries rung at 10,30am each Friday, the time of Walter`s accidental drowning in the River Medway.
The mediaeval gatehouse was rebuilt by Gilbert Scott, but retains the original door.The tower was built in 1448, with a bell sequence on the hour based on Gregorian plainchant.