Corpus Christi College

CORPUS CHRISTI COLLEGE was founded by the Gilds of Corpus Christi, and of St Mary, in 1352, and was for many years called Benet College, from its proximity to St Benedict's Church.

The letters patent were granted by Edward III., at the request of Henry, Duke of Lancaster, who was alderman of the Gild of Corpus Christi.

The quadrangle of the old court, with hall, kitchen and master's dwelling with chambers on three sides, was completed much as it now stands soon after the foundation of the College. According to Willis it was the earliest of the closed quadrangles in Cambridge; and it has undergone less alteration than any of the old College quadrangles.

The walls were very thick, but it was found necessary to add the buttresses about 1500; and further repairs were carried out in 1650, to defray the expenses of which some of the College plate was sold, and a subscription raised.

The present Chapel, in Perpendicular style, is entered from the first or new court. It was lengthened eastward in 1870. The new Court, in Gothic style by Wilkins, was commenced in 1823, the frontage towards Trumpington Street having been previously occupied by a row of houses.

Trumpington Street was widened, and the row called "Corpus Buildings" was erected. The Chapel and Master's Lodge with rooms occupy the east side of the court; the Hall and combination room are on the north, and the Library, with a muniment room under it, is on the south. The George Thomson Building was added in the 1960s.

The Hall is approached at the north-east corner of the new court, where is also the entrance to the old court and the kitchen.

It is a handsome room with oak panelling and a good oak roof. The light from the large windows and the oriel is softened by stained glass, in which the arms of various members of the College and others have good effect.

Amongst these the "Pigs" of Sir Nicholas Bacon appropriately figure in the oriel. The portrait of Archbishop Parker is in the place of honour, with those of Archbishops Tenison and Herring at the sides. The portraits of the late Master, Dr. Edward H. Perowne, and of his brother, Dr. J. J. S. Perowne, formerly Bishop of Worcester, are on the north wall. The old Hall is used as the kitchen, and has its original open roof.

In the Combination Room are portraits of Sir John Gust, Erasmus, Dean Colet and Sir Nicholas Bacon; and a copy of Raphael's "School of Athens" in the Vatican, attributed to Nicholas Poussin.

In the stained glass of the oriel windows are the arms of various Fellows of the College. The Library contains one of the most valuable collections of manuscripts in the kingdom. It was made by Archbishop Parker soon after the dissolution of the monasteries, and left by him to the College, of which he had been Master from 1538 to 1553, when he was stripped of his preferment because he would not conform to Romanism.

There are very interesting and important manuscripts placed in show cases, and a number of early printed books. There is also a collection of coins, of which some (a shekel and a half-shekel), are believed to be unique.

Sir Nicholas Bacon was a member of the College, and, as we have seen, a benefactor; amongst other alumni of Corpus Christi may be mentioned Archbishops Parker, Tenison and Herring, and a long list of bishops; Christopher Marlowe and John Fletcher, the poets; Markaunt, Stukeley, Cough and a host of antiquaries; Hales and Pitcairn among medical men; and many other men distinguished in theology, literature and science.

Website: Corpus Christi College