Brasenose Knocker

Brasenose College was founded in 1509,  part of the site was occupied by a private medieval hall named Brasenose Hall. As to what the name “Brasenose” actually means, one theory, and probably the most accurate, is that it refers to a ‘brazen’ (brass or bronze) door knocker in the shape of a nose.

In the winter of 1333 students a group of students and tutors from Brasenose Hall and Merton College Oxford, left the university looking for a new place to study, debate and lecture. The site chosen was a hall located on St Paul’s Street, Stamford.

The story goes that one of the defectors removed a brazen knocker from their old halls in Oxford to their new home in Stamford. This site became known as Brasenose College, the name taken from the brazen knocker located at the entrance to the property. The new Stamford University was to be short lived, by 1334 academics from Oxford were petitioning King Edward III and by 1335 by royal decree the disenchanted students and lecturers we sent back to Oxford.

The Knocker remained on the hall until it was demolished in 1688, it was at this point that the existing archway was built, as a reminder of the events that had taken place. In 1890 the knocker was returned to Brasenose College in Oxford and a replica sits in its place.

All prints come with a certificate of authenticity and signed.

Unmounted prints are wrapped and shipped in a sturdy cardboard tube. Mounted prints are backed and wrapped and available upon request.

All prints are available at  4x6 inches (mounted to 8x10 inches), at a limited run of 75.