Clare College

CLARE COLLEGE is the second oldest college in the University of Cambridge. It was founded as a house for scholars under the name of University Hall, in the year 1326, Richard de Badew being Chancellor of the University; but whence the foundation arose does not appear.

The College was rebuilt and re-endowed and the name changed to Clare by the Countess of Clare, in 1338. It consisted of a quadrangle, which occupied nearly the place of the present quadrangle, with master's lodge, hall, combination room, etc., on the western side; and there was a chapel at the north-east corner.

This original College was partially burnt down in 1521, and subsequently restored. The foundress' College, having fallen into decay, was entirely removed for the purpose of, or rather during the course of the erection, of the present handsome building which is one of the most elegant in Cambridge, combining much of the beauties of the Medieval and the Renaissance styles.

The best view of its southern and western sides is from King's Bridge. The eastern side, including the entrance gateway, in Jacobean style, was first completed (1641); then the south side (1642). The work was interrupted by the Civil War, and the materials were seized in 1642 by the Parliament to strengthen the fortifications of the Castle.

An interval of thirty years elapsed before progress was made with the north side, containing the hall with its music gallery, the combination room, the butteries, and the library, as well as with the west side, in which is the Master's Lodge. The west side has Italian facing on the river front.

The Chapel, situated on the north side of the entrance space in front of the College, in Italian and Corinthian style, was commenced in 1763. It was designed by Sir James Burrough, master of Caius College, and completed by James Essex. The ante-chapel is an octagon with an octagon dome and a lantern.

The Hall, decorated by Sir M. Digby Wyatt, in 1870, is a handsome, well-proportioned room. Over the chimney-piece is a bust of the foundress, surrounded by bold carving in oak by Phyppers, in 1872. There are portraits of Thomas Cecil, Earl of Exeter, the Duke of Newcastle, and Latimer. The College arms are over the dais.

The wainscoting of the Combination Room, which is approached by the music-gallery at the west end of the Hall, was by Cornelius Austin in 1689. Here are portraits of the Foundress over the chimney-piece, of Archbishop Tillotson, of Terrick and Henchman, Bishops of London ; of Nicholas Ferrar, the founder of the Religious Establishment at Little Gidding, described in Shorthouse's novel John Inglesant; of Dr. Coles, who gave the organ and coloured glass windows in the Chapel and made in addition a handsome bequest ; also one of John Moore, Bishop of Ely, whose valuable collection of books was presented to the University Library by King George I. in 1714.

The Library, beyond the combination room and over the kitchen, is not a large room. The books are in handsome carved oak cases.

The Bridge, rendered not less picturesque by the drop in the middle of one of its three arches, was designed by Thomas Grimbold, a Cambridge architect, and built in 1642. The College walks were laid out in 1691 ; and the present iron gates were put up in 1714.

Bishop Latimer and Archbishop Tillotson were fellows, and Cudworth was master of the College. While at Clare, in 1523, Latimer was University preacher and crossbearer of the University.

Famous alumni include Peter Ackroyd, Sir David Attenborough and Siegfried Sassoon.

Website: Clare College