Balliol College, Oxford

:For other meanings of Balliol, see Balliol (disambiguation)

Traditions and Customs

Along with many of the ancient colleges, Balliol has evolved its own traditions and customs over the centuries, many of which occupy a regular calendar slot.

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• The patron saint of the College is Saint Catherine of Alexandria. On her feast day (25th November), a formal dinner is held for all final year students within Balliol. This festival was well established by 1550 (in which year college archives tell that a peacock was served up).
• Another important feast in the College calendar is the Snell Dinner (normally held on the Friday of the 3rd week in March). This dinner is held in memory of John Snell, whose benefaction established exhibitions for students from Glasgow University to study at Balliol (the first exhibitioners were matriculated in 1699). The feast is attended by fellows of Balliol College, the current Snell Exhibitioners and representatives from Glasgow University and St. John's College, Cambridge.
• The two social highlights of the Balliol graduate community's year are the Burns Night dinner and ceilidh, held during Hilary term and the Holywell Manor Garden party, held in Trinity term. The former event celebrates the life of Scottish poet Robbie Burns, and the latter celebrates the beginning of summer and the end of examinations.
• By far the most eccentric is 'The Nepotists' carol singing event organised by the College's Arnold and Brackenbury society. This event happens on the last Friday of Michaelmas term each year. On this occasion Balliol students congregate in the college hall to enjoy mulled wine and the singing of hymns. The evening ends with a rendition of "The Gordouli" on Broad Street, outside the gates of Trinity College. The Gordouli is an eccentric song written by Balliol students and inspired by the friendly rivalry between the students of Trinity and Balliol.

Another wonderful tradition comes in the form of 'The Betting Book'. After formal college meals, the fellows of the college retire to the senior common room. From time to time, the fellows discuss and place small amicable bets on a whole range of issues. Once made, bets are placed in the Book. The Book has existed since at least the 1930s and gives wonderful insight into how famous historical events were perceived by learned people at the time.

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