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Peckwater Quad
The Peckwater Quadrangle (known as "Peck" to students) is one of the quadrangles of Christ Church, Oxford, England. It is a Grade I listed building. Christ Church Library is on the south side of the quad. To the southeast is Canterbury Quadrangle, with access to Oriel Square via Canterbury Gate. Peckwater Quad is on the site of a medieval inn, which was run by the Peckwater family and given to St Frideswide's Priory in 1246. The buildings on the north, east and west sides of the Quadrangle were designed by Henry Aldrich and built by William Townesend between 1706 and 1711. They constitute one of the earliest examples of English neo-Palladian architecture. The Library, on the south side, dates from later in the 18th century. First floor rooms in this quad have traditionally been particularly sought after by undergraduate members of the college due to their size, oak panelling and high ceilings. The largest examples of these rooms can be found in the corners of the building. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
William Townesend
William Townesend of Oxford (1669–1739) was a 17th/ 18th century British sculptor, architect and builder associated with several important British buildings. His masterpiece is the Radcliffe Library in Oxford, completed by his son. Life He was born around 1669 the son of John Townesend the Elder (1648-1728), who was a prominent mason who also served as Mayor of Oxford in 1682. John's wife Was Elizabeth Morrell (d.1726) and William was one of four children. His father was one of the main masons working on Blenheim Palace and nicknamed "Old Pincher". Townesend's eldest son, John Townesend the Younger (d.1742), was also a stonemason, with a yard in London, his most noteworthy structures being St Mary-le-Strand and the Mansion House, London. William was apprenticed to his father and would have become a Freeman mason around 1690. By 1704 he was "college mason" to Christ Church, Oxford. In 1720 he followed further in his father's footsteps and was elected Mayor of Oxford. H ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
