Wine in history: St Scholastica’s Day Wine Riot
On February 10, 1355, a violent altercation erupted in Oxford, driven by a dispute over the quality of wine at the Swindlestock Tavern. The incident reflects the long-standing tensions between town and gown in this historic university city.
The riot began when a group of scholars—two of whom were clerics—complained about the poor wine they received. This confrontation escalated when Roger de Chesterfield, one of the scholars, threw his cup at the tavern’s vintner, John de Croydon, leading to a chaotic brawl that spilled onto the streets. The situation quickly attracted the attention of local townspeople, and the conflict intensified as more individuals joined in.
The bell of St. Martin’s church was rung, summoning locals to the tavern. What started as a melee turned into a full-blown riot as about 2,000 townsmen, many hired for the occasion, joined the fray. The violence continued into the next day, with students fleeing for their lives as the attackers invaded their halls and residences. By the end of the tumultuous three days, 62 people had lost their lives in this gruesome event.
John de Bereford, the tavern owner and Mayor of Oxford, attempted to seek royal intervention but was subsequently dismissed from his position and imprisoned for his role in allowing the chaos to unfold. King Edward III imposed a significant penalty on the civic authorities, mandating an annual symbolic procession to St Mary the Virgin church, where they would pay 63 pennies—one for each student killed during the riot. The Mayor would wear a halter, mocked by onlookers, as part of this penance.
This incident became legend, with its echoes lasting for centuries. Although the immediate penalties faded, the legacy of the riot remained embedded in Oxford’s history. A commemorative postcard was even produced in 1907, celebrating the event.
Today, the Swindlestock Tavern site, where the riot began, is occupied by a bank, a reminder of the town’s tumultuous past and the errant wine that triggered such chaos. St Scholastica, the saint whose day was marked by this riot, was tasked with averting storms—yet in 1355, she seemed to have failed in this duty.
For further exploration on this topic, visit the Swindlestock Tavern history.