20 The j\(jmral Hijlory 
of a Bow, touching more then the Eafl and Weft points with the 
ends, fo that the whole lies in form of a Theater'- In the Area 
ftands the City mounted on a fmall hill, adorned with fo many 
Towers^ Spires and Pinnacles^ and the fides of the neighboring 
Hills fo fprinkled with Trees and Villa's^ that no place I have yet 
feen has equalPd the Profpeft 'Twas the fweetnefs and com- 
modioufnefs of the place, that (no queftion) firft invited the 
great and judicious King Alfred, to fele6l it for The Mufes Seat ; and 
the Kings of England ever fince (efpecially when at any time 
forc'd from London by War^ Plague^ or other inconveniencies) 
fo frequently to remove hither, not only their Royal Courts^ but 
the Houfes of Parliament^ and Courts of Judicature : Many Sjnods 
and Convocations of the Clergy have been alfo for the fame reafon 
held here ; of which, as they have promifcuoufly happened in 
order of time, uke the following Catalogue, 
A Catalogueof Parliaments, Councils, and Terms 
that have been held at Oxford. 
A Parliament held <7/ Oxford, /;2 the time of King Ethelred, 
anno 1002. 
A Parliament ^/Oxford, under King C^inutus^ an. 1018. 
A Parliament at Oxford, under King Harold Harefoot, anno 
1036. 
A Conference at Oxford, under King William Rufus, an. 1088. 
A Conference at Oxford, in the time of King Stephen. 
A C ouncil at Oxford, held againft the Waldenfes, temp. Hen. 2 . 
an, 1 160. 
A Council at Oy.fovd', under King Hen. 2. temp. Tho. Becket 
Archiep. Cant. i7;2. 11^6. 
A general Council at Oxford, at which King Hen. 2. made his Son 
John King of Ireland, an. 1 1 77. 
A Parliament at O^ford^ Cdf/Zei/Parliamentum magnum, temp. 
H. 2. an. 118$. 
A Council at Oxford, temp. Rich. i. 
A Conference at Oxford, in the time of King John J 
* Alt amceKitatefimBt\loGx.\xmdi£i>tm. 
A 
