Founded in 1438 as the College of All Souls of the Faithful Departed of Oxford by Henry Chiche, Archbishop of Canterbury. Sister College – Trinity Hall, Cambridge. Only scholarship holders, men and women (via entrance exam or invitation). Only the brightest scholars selected from a pool of the most gifted are invited to All Souls to engage in advanced academic study. Traditionally the college has no undergraduate students 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 a necessary requirement to have studied at university for at least three years and to possess an adequate command of grammar. All Souls flirted with university students in the early 17th century, but found them destructive and abandoned the practice. The college is located in the center of Oxford, on the north side of the High Street, close to Radcliffe Square. While it is a desirable location, it is limited, resulting in a compact plant. Henry Chiche, Archbishop of Canterbury and fellow of New College, founded All Souls in partnership with King Henry VI in 1438. Chiche provided the necessary capital for construction and endowed it with several properties across the country. His desire was to promote learned clerics and encourage prayer for the Oxford dead, who were killed in the ongoing French wars (1337–1453). Medieval Front Square The layout and administrative model were inspired by New College, Henry Chiche's college. The front, or old quadrangle, still retains an original medieval appearance despite several alterations: the battlements on the front were added in 1510. The romantic four-storey tower overlooking the High Street was initially used for...... half of the card......57. This came to an abrupt end in 1857, when the effects of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the university began to be felt. From now on there would be no more kinship privileges and also only exceptionally talented students with a bachelor's degree or special university award would be considered. Needless to say, the academic standard began to rise rapidly. Today the college has approximately 77 fellows, 24 active retired fellows, and 9 visiting fellows and is self-funded with large donations. Women became eligible to become mates in 1979. All Souls boasts the once-per-century (usually January 14) fabulous Mallard ceremony that celebrates the exaggerated importance of a frightened duck builder as he lays the original foundation. After a great celebration the comrades parade around the college led by a pole bearer with a carved mallard. The next one is coming 2101.