There is so much to see in Cambridge, with historic buildings abounding. We decided to stay on for the morning before heading back down the Cam.
Another fantastic gateway that seems to have recently been repainted and gilded. This is the Great Gate into the Frst Court of Christ's College. This college first started in 1437 as God's House by a William Byngham, a London parish priest, for training school teachers. It's original location was taken over by King's College so it moved to this site and was re-instituted in 1448. Later the main benefactor was the mother of Henry VII, Lady Margret Beaufort and she developed it further and changed the name to Christ's College. This gate, like that of St. John's has the mythical Yale holding the coat of arms and surrounded by the Tudor Rose and the Portcullis of the Beaufort's. The statue above is of her holding a bible. The Great Gate was completed before she died in 1509. The gates look a little out of proportion as the road level has risen and the bottom part of the gate has been cropped.
This is the Gate House and Porter's Lodge for the first court of King's College. It was built between 1824 and 1828 by William Wilkins in the Gothic Style. Kings College was 'started' by Henry VI but its development was disrupted by the Wars of the Roses. Henry VII took it on and Henry VIII completed it.
This is a detail of the Wilkins Building that is just to the south of King's Great Gatehouse. It was completed in 1828 by William Wilkins. Half the buildings in King's Parade had to be knocked down to construct it. It also houses the Hall where the High Table was. Latin graces was read out and the Master's eat high quality food, and the students didn't! Females were not allowed in the Hall at all, even to work, until 1958! It is still the dining room, now canteen style, but also for formal dinners.
This is part of the screen that runs from the gatehouse to the north and joins up with the world famous Kings Chapel. The screen hides the front court gardens. Kings College Chapel was started in 1446 and took a hundred and one years to complete due to the Wars of the Roses etc.
This college is notable as its court is open and not enclosed by walls. It is St. Catherine College. It was founded in 1473 by Robert Woodlark who was actually the provost of Kin's College next door. It cost him a large part of his fortune, and it is said some funds diverted from King's College. It was originally Katherine Hall but changed its name in 1860 to it's present name. St. Catherine of Alexandria was the patron saint of learning.
Helen really wanted to see the Bridge of Sighs so we walked around to see if we could get a glimpse, but failed. I'm sure about 25 years ago we just walked through St. John's College and over it, but now it is £10! so we decided to make do with this, the Mathematical Bridge. It's proper name, believe it of not, is Wooden Bridge. It was designed by William Etheridge and built by James Essex in 1747. The 'original' bridge was where Garret Hostel Bridge is today. It is Garde II Listed but has been rebuilt twice, once in 1866 and again in 1905. Although it looks arched it is actually constructed out of straight timbers.
This is the front of the Senate House, where the Graduation ceremonies take place. (see yesterday's blog). It was intended to form one side of a quadrangle that was never completed. The building was officially opened in 1730, but in fact the west end of the building (to the left) was no completed until 1768!
These are the statues above the Great Gate of Gonville and Caius College facing Senate House Hill. Top Left is John Caius. He was at Cambridge as a student but went on to make a fortune. In 1559 he helped refound the college and it was then that the Caius was added. His proper name was Keys, but he loved all things classical so changed the spelling. Top right is William Bateman who died in 1355 and he was the Bishop of Norwich. Then lower statue depicts Edmond Gonville who was the first founder in 1348. He was a parish priest and died three years after his college was founded. Bishop Bateman of Norwich took on the task, despite founding Trinity College himself. He moved the college from its old site, where Corpus Christi is today, to the present site.
This is a view down Trinity Lane. Gonville College is on the left, but the range with all the chimneys are some of the rooms for the students and fellow. It was constructed by Neville between 1592 and 1615. Jusr round the corner, out of sight, is the Queen's Gate, named after Queen Elizabeth I.
Viewed from across the River Cam i the Wren Library of Trinity College. The library was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, who also designed the interior and bookcase. Grinlin Gibbons did the carvings on the end of each case. Wren also designed the Lincoln Cathedral Library. The library is in the upper floor, and is just one room. It has been open to the public since it opened in 1695.
Time caught up with us and we had to retrace our steps and head down the Cam, back to the Great Ouse. We soon passed under Victoria Bridge that was started in 1889 and opened in 1890. It is said these arms belong to the city of Cambridge and the University, but neither of them seem to match this one.
As you approach Fen Ditton, near the Plough Inn the rule of the road changes for a short distance. There doesn't seem to be any physical reason for this to happen, maybe it is something to do with rowing, or some other University reason.
This peacock was resting on a boat moored near Fen Ditton.
This cow was just keeping an eye on us as we approached Upware and the Five Miles from Anywhere pub, that despite its location seemed to be very busy. Just near here there is a side tributary, Reach Lode, that is navigable, but we have no time this time round.
We carried on to make a few miles. The plan was to stop for water in Ely and then stop at a GOBA mooring a little further on. As it was there was a cruiser moored on the services and there was a gap on the moorings just our size, so we used it.
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