Every phase of ecclesiastical controversy or political strife was preluded by some fierce outbreak in this turbulent, surging mob.

When England growled at the exactions of the Papacy in the years that were to follow the students besieged a legate in the abbot's house at Osney.

A murderous town and gown row preceded the opening of the Barons' war.

"When Oxford draws knife," ran an old rime, "England's soon at strife." [Sidenote: Edmund Rich] But the turbulence and stir was a stir and turbulence of life.

A keen thirst for knowledge, a passionate poetry of devotion, gathered thousands round the poorest scholar and welcomed the barefoot friar.