Founded in 1438 as the College of All Souls of the Faithful who left Oxford by Henry Chiche, Archbishop of Canterbury. Sister College – Trinity Hall Cambridge. Scholarship holders only, men and women (by entrance exam or by invitation). Only the brightest scholars, from a group of the most gifted, are invited to All Souls to engage in advanced academic study. Traditionally the college has no undergraduates and is unusual in that all members become fellows and join the college's governing body. Originally, students had to be of legitimate birth and between the ages of 18 and 25. It was mandatory that they had studied at university for at least three years and had adequate command of grammar. All Souls flirted with undergraduates in the early 17th century, but found them disruptive and abandoned the practice. The college is located in the center of Oxford, on the north side of the High Street, next to Radcliffe Square. Although a desirable location, it is restricted, resulting in a compact floor plan. Henry Chiche, Archbishop of Canterbury and Fellow of New College, founded All Souls in partnership with King Henry VI in 1438. Chiche provided the capital for construction and endowed it with several properties across the country. His wish was to promote clerical scholars and encourage prayer for the Oxford dead, killed in the ongoing French Wars (1337-1453). Medieval Front QuadThe layout and administration model was inspired by New College, Henry Chiche's college. The façade, or old quadrangle, still retains its original medieval appearance despite several modifications: the façade battlements were added in 1510. The romantic four-storey gate tower which faces the High Street was first used for...... middle of paper ......57. All this came to an abrupt end in 1857 when the effects of the Royal Commission on the university began to be felt. Now there would be no kinship privilege and, furthermore, only exceptionally talented students with a first-class degree or special university award would be considered. Needless to say, the academic level began to rise rapidly. Today the college has approximately 77 Fellows, 24 active Retired Fellows and 9 Visiting Fellows and is self-funded by huge endowments. Women became eligible for membership in 1979. All Souls boasts the fabulous once-a-century Mallard Ceremony (usually January 14) which celebrates the exaggerated importance of a duck frightened by the builders as they laid the original foundations. After a big party, the comrades parade around the college led by the bearer of a staff with a sculpted mallard duck. The next one is in 2101.