Oxford v Cambridge: the battle of universities

Hey guys. What’s up?

Are you in the mood to go deep in the Oxford’s history? Because today I chose a very cool one. It’s about the eternal rivalry between University of Oxford and University of Cambridge.  

I’ve always heard about it, but I’ve never stopped to research or just for reading about this rivalry. And now, I’m here to show you guys how important it is. So let’s read about Oxbridge.

The University of Oxford was founded in 998 (it’s the older university in the U.K), but they just started to teach in 1096. A little time after this, in 1167, Henry II of England had banned the English students to college in the Unversité de Paris (University of Paris). And because of this, Oxford started to grow up. But in 1209, two students died accused of rape. The other students decided to run to another city. Their ideas were about a “free university” and then, they founded the University of Cambridge. Since this day, Oxford and Cambridge started a battle of universities. Both want to prove they are the best. Of course, we know they are! 

University of Oxford 

Cambridge is considered the second best university, Harvard is the first.

The most popular students of Cambridge were Isaac Newton, Ernest Rutherford, Charles Darwin and Bertrand Russell. 

 University of Cambridge

In the other side, Oxford’s most popular students were Oscar Wild, J. R. R. Tolkien, Bill Clinton and Tony Blair.

Oxford and Cambridge are very traditional. Both offer costumes, but it varies by college. 

 Oxford's academic dress

Cambridge's academic dress

We think the building of Oxford is large. But we are wrong. There isn’t a campus. The colleges are all around the city.

This rivalry keeps going until today. Both colleges compete for championships. There is a competition on the Thames River. It started in 1829, when Cambridge invited Oxford to a boat race. Cambridge won 79 times, and Oxford 75. 

People vying for a place in 

Oxford/Cambridge Boat Race 2007

In 1997 this competition was performed in Manaus, Brazil! Yeah, guys. Our beautiful Brazil! The athletes were very afraid about the Rio Negro’s piranhas (piranha is a kind of brazilian fish, they are very dangerous, 'cause they have teeth and they bite. People say piranhas can eat humans! They are carnivorous, guys hahaha)

You can see that this rivalry is bigger than we imagine. They don’t want compete only in studies, but also in sports.

Well, I must to say you, guys, we can see that Cambridge is becoming bigger than our Oxford. Buuuut, I’m always gonna be Team Oxford, even because this city will be my sweet home for one mouth. And I don’t care if my English books are Cambridge method, Oxford is my love.

Hope you enjoy!

Andrea

xX

@andreacristiina