A demyship (also "demy" for the recipient) is a form of

scholarship A scholarship is a form of financial aid awarded to students for further education. Generally, scholarships are awarded based on a set of criteria such as academic merit, diversity and inclusion, athletic skill, and financial need. Scholarsh ...

Magdalen College, Oxford Magdalen College (, ) is a constituent college of the University of Oxford. It was founded in 1458 by William of Waynflete. Today, it is the fourth wealthiest college, with a financial endowment of £332.1 million as of 2019 and one of the s ...

. The term is derived from ''demi-socii'' or ''half-

fellow A fellow is a concept whose exact meaning depends on context. In learned or professional societies, it refers to a privileged member who is specially elected in recognition of their work and achievements. Within the context of higher education ...

s'', being historically entitled to half the allowance awarded to Fellows. The allowance is now, however, a token award of £200 per year. "Demy" and "demies" are pronounced to rhyme with "deny" and "surmise", rather than "semi(s)". Whilst Magdalen is unique amongst Oxbridge colleges in using the term Demies,

Merton College, Oxford Merton College (in full: The House or College of Scholars of Merton in the University of Oxford) is one of the Colleges of Oxford University, constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Its foundation can be traced back to the ...

is similarly unusual in designating their scholars "postmasters", with a Postmasters Hall.

Foundation

When Magdalen College was founded in 1458 by William of Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester, the Founder ordained that in addition to forty senior scholars, or Fellows, there should be 'thirty poor scholars, commonly called Demies, of good morals and dispositions fully equipped for study'. Recipients are still admitted to the College's Foundation. Whilst the original provision was for 30 scholars, in line with most colleges this number has increased to more than twice that in most years.

Richard Mayew Richard Mayew (1439/40–1516), also written Mayo, was an English academic, who became Bishop of Hereford (1504 to 1516) and a diplomat for Henry VII of England. Biography Mayew was born in Hungerford, Berkshire, England. He was President of M ...

, President of the College from 1480 to 1507, added further statutes, resulting in many elections to fellowships and demyships at the College.

Entitlement

Demies are entitled to attend certain ceremonies and dinners. Most notably, all demies and scholars attend the annual Restoration Dinner on 25 October, held annually to commemorate the Restoration of the President and Fellows in 1688. Demies and scholars also receive a token sum of money, usually 10p, at the giving of Claymond's Dole' each year, in a service to commemorate the gift to the College of former President John Claymond (1507–16).

Admission ceremony

The ceremony for admission of new Demies is conducted in the President's lodgings or the College Chapel, immediately before the Restoration Dinner each year. All current Demies observe the ceremony; one by one, each Demy-elect kneels and the President says: 'Tu dabis fidem te statuta et ordinationes huius Collegii quatenus ad te spectant bene ac fideliter observaturum (observaturam) esse?' ''(Will you faithfully and fully observe the statutes and regulations of this college in so far as they apply to you?)'' The Demy-elect then says: 'Do fidem.' ''(I swear)'' The President then admits him or her to his or her Demyship with the words: 'Ego auctoritate Praesidis et sociorum admitto te scholarem in annos insequentes.' ''(By the authority of the President and fellows I admit you as a scholar for the years to come)'' The Demy then rises and shakes hands with the President and each current Demy, each of whom greets the new Demy with the traditional Magdalen words 'I wish you joy'.

Notable demies

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References

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