University College claims to be the oldest College in Oxford, tracing its origins to an endowment of 1249. This book brings together the great majority of pre-1550 documents, other than its account rolls, from the College's archives, providing a sourcebook for its early history. The first part contains editions of texts with facing translations into English, including the College's medieval statutes, and documents about its early buildings; the second deals with medieval deeds relating to the College's properties in Oxfordshire, provided as calendars, since they are considerably more formulaic. The volume also includes full notes and an introduction.

Robin Darwall-Smith isArchivist of Magdalen College; he has made extensive contributions to the history of both University College and Magdalen College.