Saint John's College, Oxford

Saint John's College, one of the esteemed and ancient institutions at Oxford University, has a rich history. It was established in 1555 by Sir Thomas White, a prominent merchant who had previously served as the Lord Mayor of London. The college's construction took place in and around the premises of the former Saint Bernard's College, which served as a place of learning and the Saint Bernard's Monastery.

The college is organized into seven quadrangles, each with its own unique character. The Front Quad predominantly consists of buildings dating back to the 14th century, originally part of the monastery. The Canterbury Quad, with its 17th-century Italian Renaissance architecture, is home to the college's Library.

Moving on, the North Quad is a mix of buildings from the 18th to the 20th century. Notably, the buttery staircase connecting to the Hall and Senior Common Room dates back to the 18th century. Along Saint Giles' Street, you'll find 19th-century buildings, while the "Beehive" was constructed in the 1930s.

The Dolphin, the Sir Thomas White, and the Garden Quads feature 20th-century structures, while the Kendrew Quad represents a modern touch as it was completed in 2010, firmly establishing itself in the 21st century. Additionally, the college owns and operates the Lamb and Flag pub.

Throughout its history, Saint John's College has had a spirited rivalry with Keble College. In response, Saint John's initiated a secret society where membership required students to steal a brick from Keble College. The color of the stolen brick determined the member's status: red bricks granted ordinary membership, white bricks provided access to higher membership, and the rarer blue bricks secured chairmanship within the society.