The Martyrs' Memorial is a stone monument positioned at the intersection of St Giles', Magdalen Street and Beaumont Street, to the west of Balliol College, Oxford, England. It commemorates the 16th-century Oxford Martyrs.
The monument was built 300 years after the events of the English Reformation and commemorates the Bishop of Worcester, Hugh Latimer, and Bishop of London, Nicholas Ridley, who were burned nearby on 16 October 1555 after having been convicted for heresy because of their Protestant beliefs after a quick trial. It also commemorates the former archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Cranmer, who was similarly executed (after having watched his colleagues' painful deaths while imprisoned in a nearby tower and the Vatican having permitted his degradation from holy orders in February) on 21 March 1556. The Rev. Charles Pourtales Golightly (a descendant of Huguenots who fled to England in that earlier era) and other Anglican clergy raised the funds to erect the monument during the Victorian era. They opposed the 19th-century Oxford Movement (also known as the Tractarian Movement), led by John Keble, John Henry Newman and others. Golightly and his colleagues were alarmed at the Anglo-Catholic realignment the movement was bringing into the Church of England, and wanted the memorial to reflect the university's Protestant profession and anti-Catholic tradition.
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
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Fred Hudson | Jan 13, 201810
Certainly was outstanding and the pigeons contribute to it. The beauty is due to the complementary nature of the stone and the surrounding area. I have often use this as a meeting place and I have never missed a friend because of it, nor have I ever been late if this has been my destination. Great!
Harry Croasdale | Jan 24, 201810
I have no opinion. Is okay I guess. Does the job, memoriates well
John Hyde | Sep 15, 20178.0
A number of people were burned for practising their Faith slightly differently from the main religion of the Day. Most countries have moved on since those days. There's missing tarmac on Broad Street 2 mins walk away where the 'heretics' met their end. No doubt they're in Heaven while their persecutors are in a very hot place! For foreign visitors Magdalen is pronounced Maudlin. (It's a southern thing)
Juha Berglund | Nov 11, 20178.0
We used the monument as a meeting place. I was oblivious about the history, though.
Equalizer | Jun 14, 20178.0
It's a good place to sit and have a bite to eat...but be a lot nicer without the dirty unwashed hobos who also like to hang around
jf 840 four the love of trains | May 4, 201810
With this at the end of st giles its the main focal point for all visiting tourist to the city of oxford
Nivyan Lakhani | Apr 7, 201810
Great people deserve great monuments.
Emma Compton | Jul 20, 201810
This is an incredible piece of history, sitting right in the middle of a modern-day high-traffic intersection. I highly recommend you check it out. The steps leading right up to the monument are great to sit and have lunch on (I have myself several times). The whole thing was "refurbished" in 2002 (I think), so all the carvings and such are very clear.
Ted Egbers | Jun 6, 20188.0
Beautiful Memorial, inscription: To the Glory of God, and in grateful commemoration of His servants, Thomas Cranmer, Nicholas Ridley, Hugh Latimer, Prelates of the Church of England, who near this spot yielded their bodies to be burned, bearing witness to the sacred truths which they had affirmed and maintained against the errors of the Church of Rome, and rejoicing that to them it was given not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for His sake; this monument was erected by public subscription in the year of our Lord God, MDCCCXLI.
Sarah Perkins | Jul 29, 20188.0
Very macabre memorial. If you go see it, you should also see the oxford university cathedral as well. And the oxford town center, where the martyrs were burned alive.
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