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Eloise in Oxonia

Join first year student Eloise Weaver, as she embarks on a journey through Oxonia: a dreamy landscape where fiction entwines with the true literary history of Oxford. As she explores the enchanting streets of Oxford, Eloise meets beloved characters and the brilliant minds behind them—past and present. Eloise’s adventures are fantasy, but the authors, people, and ideas she encounters are as real as you and I. 

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    Episode 12: The Order of May Morning

    Send a textIn this immersive and surreal episode, we follow Eloise through her final journey in Oxonia. The day takes our young protagonist through Oxford's eccentric and enchanting May Day festivities, from dawn rituals and choral hymns to an intoxicating afternoon of communal celebration. As the day (and our series) comes to a close, Eloise satisfies her curiosity and visits the Ace of Clubs—a hidden literary cult cloaked in symbolism, eccentric scholarship, and theatrical madness. Our final episode is a haunting reflection on identity and timelessness. 

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    Episode 11: Word Count

    Send a textAs the pressures of final essays mount, Eloise flees Oxford for the unassuming riverside town of Wallingford on the outskirts of Oxfordshire—once home to Agatha Christie. Among castle ruins, tea kettles, and fading carpets, she finds both clarity and questions. With her thoughts sharpened by isolation and the strange peace of a town frozen in time, Eloise begins to see the events of her year as more than coincidence: a pattern emerges, tied together by playing cards and cryptic gestures. Who is behind it? And why? As she returns to Oxford with her essay submitted and her mind alight, the final piece of the puzzle awaits in her... This Episode signals the approach of a long-awaited reckoning.

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    Episode 10: Evensong

    Send a textThis episode unfolds at a springtime scholars' garden party on historic college grounds, where trimmed hedges, buzzing bees, and eccentric academics set the scene for a day steeped in beauty and introspection. A line from C.S. Lewis—“Imagination is the organ of meaning”—echoes through the narrative, guiding a quiet journey from lighthearted conversation to a deeper, more haunting experience. Professor Simon Horobin describes the legacy of C.S. Lewis in Oxford. An immersive blend of literary musings, seasonal imagery, and subtle emotion, this episode finds Eloise searching for her place in a world both enchanted and real.

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    Episode 9: Pimm's and a Punt

    Send a textEloise and Iris escape their studies for a dreamy afternoon of punting—only to be ambushed by rivals with cruel intent. What begins as a playful outing spirals into confrontation, injury, and an unexpected, electric moment that shifts everything between them. As Eloise reckons with public recognition and private doubt, she also reflects on the forgotten legacy of writer Katherine Lee Bates, whose literary  obscurity haunts her. With poetic echoes from Shelley and a stirring undercurrent of both tenderness and defiance, this episode explores the rewards of resilience, the ache of obscurity, and the quiet power connection.

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    Episode 8: The Queen of Hearts

    Send a textEloise struggles to keep up with her workload and manage the stressors of midyear. To make matters worse, she faces the growing scrutiny of college and an uncomfortable conflict with Jax. She attends a lecture on Seamus Heaney at the exams schools. Increasingly threatened by forces beyond her understanding, Eloise must decide: will she abandon her search for hidden meanings, or keep digging—risking everything to uncover truths she may not be ready to face?

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    Episode 7: Nine Card Don

    Send a textEloise receives a curious invitation to play a card game in the MCR, where the atmosphere feels more deliberate than casual. Her academic path takes a thrilling turn as she explores the wit and subversion of Oscar Wilde, guided by an exclusive and illuminating conversation with Sir Stephen Fry. As the evening unfolds, a subtle clue emerges—one that may bring her closer to uncovering who has been quietly observing her movements.

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    Episode 6: A Falcon on the River Isis

    Send a textEloise and Iris venture through the foggy landscape of Oxonia to attend an exclusive boat race. As they walk along the riverbank, they encounter several surprises, including a friendly boater named Sally and a group of sharp-eyed students. Eloise reflects on Susan Sontag’s philosophical writings, and contemplates the eternal desire to capture fleeting moments. The pair of friends face a menacing social spectacle, while Eloise uncovers another clue to the enigmatic and ever-elusive Jax. 

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    Episode 5: The Library is an Iceberg

    Send a textIn this episode, Eloise explores the legendary Bodleian Library, uncovering its rich history as one of the oldest libraries in Europe, filled with priceless manuscripts, treasures of literature, and... poltergeists? As she navigates the labyrinth of ancient books, Eloise faces a pivotal choice—whether to follow a falconry clue that promises adventure, or to stay grounded and stick with the safety of her routine. Her decision could lead her into uncharted territory or keep her on familiar, safer pathways.

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    Episode 4: Notes and Inklings

    Send a textAfter her first tutorial with Professor Meade, Eloise is drawn to the library's quiet mystery. While researching, she uncovers an unusual symbol and a cryptic notation—its origins unclear and its significance uncertain. Torn between skepticism and curiosity, Eloise faces a pivotal decision: should she follow her instincts, or ignore the potential danger?Along the way, she delves into the life and work of Dorothy L. Sayers, the 20th-century crime writer and founding member of The Detection Club—a literary precursor to The Inklings, the famous writers' group that included C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. As Eloise explores these literary connections, she begins to wonder: is she on the verge of an exciting discovery—or flirting with disaster?

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    Episode 3: Into The Portal

    Send a textEloise meets Dr Franziska Kohlt and learns about Lewis Carroll's mad wonderland. The group of friends attend their first bop, then journey into the Portal, where Eloise pilfers something that does not belong to her. Shadows from the past play on her mind, as she loses touch with all she thinks she knows. 

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    Episode 2: Ghosts in the Museum

    Send a textEloise and her College Family visit the Pitt Rivers Museum, encountering phantoms from the distant past. 

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    Episode 1: Sub Fusc and Hot Chocolate

    Send a textEager first-year student Eloise Weaver arrives in Oxonia, where she will read English Literature. Her first stop is Blackwell's Bookshop, where she discovers the rich history of the store and delves into Tolkien's early poetry, crafted within its very walls. As she ventures into the college for the first time, she encounters a friendly porter and catches sight of an intriguing figure just beyond her access limits...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Join first year student Eloise Weaver, as she embarks on a journey through Oxonia: a dreamy landscape where fiction entwines with the true literary history of Oxford. As she explores the enchanting streets of Oxford, Eloise meets beloved characters and the brilliant minds behind them—past and present. Eloise’s adventures are fantasy, but the authors, people, and ideas she encounters are as real as you and I.

HOSTED BY

Oxford Writers' House

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Eloise in Oxonia have?

Eloise in Oxonia currently has 12 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Eloise in Oxonia about?

Join first year student Eloise Weaver, as she embarks on a journey through Oxonia: a dreamy landscape where fiction entwines with the true literary history of Oxford. As she explores the enchanting streets of Oxford, Eloise meets beloved characters and the brilliant minds behind them—past and...

How often does Eloise in Oxonia release new episodes?

Eloise in Oxonia has 12 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Eloise in Oxonia?

You can listen to Eloise in Oxonia on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Eloise in Oxonia?

Eloise in Oxonia is created and hosted by Oxford Writers' House.
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