Events

Unknown, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, Christ Church

Imagining Wolsey: The Invention of an English Cardinal

Marking the 500th anniversary of the initial founding of Christ Church by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey in 1525, this exhibition will present a range images of the Cardinal from an anonymous Tudor oil portrait to Jonathan Pryce’s representation of him in Wolf Hall.

Without a firmly-secured contemporary portrait of Wolsey, posterity was given a free hand to imagine a Cardinal whose humble beginnings led to a stellar ascent and ended in a dramatic fall from grace and lonely death.

Sculpture of John Locke in the Christ Church Library

"To love truth for truth's sake": John Locke and Christ Church

29 October–14 January

Upper Library, Christ Church

Exhibition

The philosopher and political theorist John Locke (1632–1704) is known for his Two Treatises of Government, which became a foundational text for modern western democracy. In May 1652, John Locke was elected to a Studentship at Christ Church, conditionally tenable for life. During the next fifteen years at Oxford, Locke took his degrees (B.A. 1656, M.A. 1658) and fulfilled various college offices. While Censor of Moral Philosophy at Christ Church in 1664 Locke completed the Latin manuscript now known as Essays [or Questions] on the Law of Nature.

Cathedral Christmas events, services and concerts

1 November–1 February

Cathedral

Cathedral Christmas events, services and concerts, including dates, times and full details of each event

Sebastiano Filippi (c.1532-1602), A nude man, stooping towards left, Black chalk with a little white on blue paper, squared in black chalk

It's not just black and white: Renaissance and Baroque drawings in chalk and charcoal

15 November–16 March

Christ Church Picture Gallery

Exhibition

Continuing the Picture Gallery’s exhibition series on materials and materiality of Renaissance and Baroque drawings, this show explores black chalk and charcoal. A medium that began to flourish in the late fifteenth century and has become the workhorse of drawing utensils.

College Advent Carol Service

30 November

Cathedral

Cathedral Service

Come together with the college community to celebrate the season of Advent and mark the end of term in this candlelit service.

Lantern-led Festive Guided Tours

1 December–3 January

Christ Church

Explore Christ Church after dark on a festive-themed guided tour experience. As your friendly guide leads you by lantern light through the college and cathedral, you will learn about our fascinating history and follow our Christmas tree trail.