Compline by Candlelight

Tuesday 7 May | 9pm

A Service of Compline (Night Prayer), featuring the music of John Sheppard, the Informator Choristarum at Magdalen College in the 1540s. This 30min service will be followed by drinks and canapes, for those who have registered.

Limited capacity. Booking essential.

MAGDALEN COLLEGE CHAPEL – CELEBRATING 550 YEARS
The foundation-stone of the College was sanctified on the fifth of May, 1474, by the venerable father Robert Toly, Bishop of St.  David’s, in his pontificals, and respectfully deposited in its place, the middle of the high altar, by president Tybard l.  The quarry of Hedington, which had been discovered in the reign of Henry the Third, was now in higher repute than that of Hinxey, and from it the stone for the edifice was taken.  We  find  Waynflete  contracting with  William  Orchyerd,  the  principal mason,  in  1475,  1478,  and  the  following year,  for  finishing  the  tower  over  the  gateway with  a  pyramid  sixteen  feet  high  above the  level  of  the  gutter;  for  crowning  the walls  of  the  chapel  and  hall  with  niched battlements,  for  a  coping  to  these  and  the library;  for  completing  the  chambers,  cloisters, and  other  imperfect  portions  of  the fabric;  and  for  fashioning  the  great  window of  the  chapel.

These special events held at Magdalen College Chapel are part of the commemoration of this significant anniversary.