The sermon which John Keble preached at the opening of the Oxford Assize on 14 July 1833 stands to the Oxford Movement as the display of Luther’s theses does to the Reformation. It was not the cause of all that was to follow, but it was the occasion, which focused many existing concerns. Years later, Newman wrote, ‘I have ever considered and kept the day as the start of the religious movement of 1833.’ Keble spoke for many in the Church of England who were troubled