Oxford’s storied history traces back over a millennium, rooted in its strategic location at the intersection of the Rivers Thames and Cherwell. Established as a town in the 10th century with the construction of Oxford Castle, its destiny as a center of learning began to unfold in the 12th century with the founding of Oxford University. Flourishing during the medieval period, Oxford became synonymous with scholarship, nurturing luminaries like Roger Bacon and Thomas Aquinas.