Oxford's prestige was enhanced by its charter granted by King Henry II, granting its citizens the same privileges and exemptions as those enjoyed by the capital of the kingdom; and various important religious houses were founded in or near the city.
Oxfords prestige blev endnu større, da Henry II gav byens borgere samme privilegier, som kongerigets hovedstad havde; derudover blev flere vigtige religiøse bygninger bygget i eller nær byen.