#8 Battels book

This item is one of the tallest in our collection, and is from our extensive collection of Battels books. They record payments due from students for all kinds of things. Modern Battels are issued and paid electronically, but we have written records dating back centuries.

1. Our earliest Battels book dates from 1663.

2. Until 1793, entries were in a form of shorthand

3. This volume, covering June 1728 - June 1729, includes entries for Samuel Johnson who matriculated in October 1728

4. The inside covers of early Battels books often contain doodles

5. Battels books are large and unwieldy. This example measures 75cm tall by 28cm wide

6. Early Battels books are written on paper and bound in vellum

7. Originally recorded weekly, from the mid-18th century, battels were also recorded quarterly. Weekly recording ended mid-19th century.

8. We also have a collection of loose 18th century battels sheets bound in contemporary wallpaper

9. Individuals received copies of their accounts for payment - this example belonged to Charles Hamlyn Chichester who matriculated in 1891

10. As with all things Oxford, spellings of the word battels can vary including ‘batells’ (Magdalen) and ‘batels’ (Brasenose)!