Historic works in Oxford

Listed building consent was secured from Oxford City Council on 6th March 2023 for repairs and alterations to the Lower Senior Common Room, which is part of the Grade I listed northern range of Lincoln College’s front quadrangle at Turl Street, Oxford dating back to 1437. The room is lined with panelling dating from 1684 by leading Oxford joiner and carver Arthur Frogley. Frogley also worked on the College’s Chapel (1687) and numerous other University buildings including as Master-Carpenter at the Sheldonian, the Common Room at Merton (1680), Chapel of St Edmund Hall (c1682) and Hall at Corpus Christi (1700). To put this into perspective, the panelling only just post-dates the Great Fire of London in 1666 and the English Civil War between 1642 and 1651 and was installed when a harsh winter led to the River Thames and sea for two miles out freezing over in 1684. The historic significance and survival of this exquisite craftmanship along with its aesthetic and historic value is truly remarkable.