TRINITY COLLEGE
On 19 December 1546 Henry VIII issued letters
patent founding a College to be called 'Trinytie
College within the Towne and Universitie of Cambrydge of Kynge Henry theight's fundacion'. (fn. 1) This
was followed on 24 December by letters patent
endowing the new foundation. (fn. 2) The site of the
College and part of its endowments were provided
by grants of the property of earlier societies that had
filled a considerable place in the medieval University
and whose surrenders of their property into the
king's hands had been completed a few days earlier,
on 10 and 17 December. (fn. 3) Of these societies the most
important were King's Hall and Michaelhouse, both
of which dated from the first half of the 14th century.
KING'S HALL
Foundation.
Of these societies one was distinguished by its close connexion with the Crown
and the court. The earliest record of the existence
in Cambridge of the society of
the king's scholars, which after
its formal foundation by Edward
III became known as King's
Hall, is a writ issued by Edward
II on 7 July 1317 directing the
sheriff of Cambridgeshire to pay
out of royal moneys sums sufficient to maintain in a 'hostel' in
the University John de Baggeshot and twelve children of the
chapel royal, whom the king intended to send to Cambridge. (fn. 4)
John de Baggeshot and the first
ten scholars arrived on 9 July. (fn. 5)
For the remainder of Edward II's
reign the society continued without formal foundation but in the medieval University Edward II was
regarded as the society's founder; it is possible but
not certain that the hostel he leased for his scholars
was that which Edward III bought as the home of
the established society. (fn. 6)
![Trinity College. Argent a chevron gules and three red roses on a chief gules a leopard or between two books or. [Confirmed 1575]](image-thumb.aspx?compid=66656&pubid=520&filename=fig18.gif)
Trinity College. Argent a chevron gules and three red roses on a chief gules a leopard or between two books or. [Confirmed 1575]
By 1319 the number of scholars had reached its
normal level of 32. On 7 December all were ordered
to spend Christmas with the court at York. The
warden and six scholars left Cambridge on 20
December, reaching York on horseback by Christmas Eve: the remainder went part of the way by
boat, arriving on 28 December. One party was back
by 20 January, the other by 9 February. At least one
had been left in York under arrest for assault. (fn. 7)
The society was unendowed and was maintained
at the royal expense, by payments from the sheriff
of Cambridgeshire. There was difficulty in obtaining
punctual payment, necessitating royal orders for
arrears to be paid, as on 14 December 1326, and
repeatedly in the winter and summer of 1333. (fn. 8) On
26 January 1335 an order was made for the payment
of £40, for the wages of the warden and 32 boys,
direct from the Exchequer. (fn. 9)
In 1326 Edward II gave the society law books,
which were taken from them by Queen Isabella,
and for which £10 was given as compensation by
Edward III in 1332. (fn. 10) In the same year a commission
was appointed to remove those of the king's scholars
who were sufficiently beneficed and those who were
unfit to proceed to the University. (fn. 11) Two years
previously 43 scholars had received maintenance in
kind. (fn. 12) The society was perhaps felt to have become
too attractive to unsuitable candidates for royal
nomination, and to have become overstocked. In
November 1333 the warden, John de Langetoft, was
replaced by Thomas Powys. (fn. 13)
The 28 years' wardenship of Thomas Powys
(1333–61) saw the establishment or foundation of
the society of the king's scholars as the Hall of the
King's Scholars, the licensed expansion of the numbers of the College, its settlement in permanent
quarters of its own, and its endowment with land
and rent charges, all at the direction and expense of
the Crown.
On 12 April 1336 Edward III issued a writ of aid
under the privy seal in favour of commissioners
appointed to take seisin of a house bought from
Robert de Croyland, and to put the Warden and
king's scholars in possession of it. (fn. 14) On 7 October
1337 the king issued letters patent establishing a
College to be called the Hall of the King's Scholars,
consisting of a Warden and 32 scholars, who had
been maintained in the University by his father, and
for their reception gave them the house of Robert de
Croyland which he had purchased. Thomas Powys
was appointed Warden, and the College was given
the advowson of the church of St. Peter, Northampton, with leave to appropriate. (fn. 15) On 16 October the
king asked the Pope to confirm the foundation and
gift. (fn. 16) The record of the approval of the foundation
by the Bishop, Prior, and Chapter of Ely dates,
however, from six years later, on 8 and 23 October
1343. (fn. 17)
Site.
The site of the permanent home of King's
Hall lay between the High Street (later Trinity
Street) on the east and the river on the west, but
reaching to neither; north was the Hospital of St.
John, which it also did not at first reach; and south
was 'King's Childer Lane', upon which it abutted. (fn. 18)
The first expansion of the site came on 17 January
1341 when Edward III granted lands he had purchased in the preceding two years: these were mainly
westward of the house but not reaching quite to
the river, stretching northward to the St. John's
boundary, and eastward to the site of the present
Great Gate. (fn. 19) The site was finally extended westward to the river at Cornhythe and Dame Nichol's
Hythe in May 1351. (fn. 20) The eastward extension of the
site to the High Street was completed by acquisitions
in April 1344, March 1350, June 1351, and February
1376, (fn. 21) forming a compact block between the High
Street and the river, and between St. John's Hospital
and King's Childer Lane. In 1417, 1429, and 1430
King's Hall acquired leases, later renewed, of gardens south of King's Childer Lane, (fn. 22) and in 1430,
1433, and 1449 acquisitions were made (fn. 23) comprising,
with the leased ground, a compact extension reaching southwards from King's Childer Lane (acquired
from the town, with the right to close it, on 8 April
1433,) (fn. 24) between the High Street and a position near
the present Fountain.
Endowments and Advowsons.
The
earliest of King's Hall's endowments in land proved
abortive: the advowson and church of St. Peter's,
Northampton, granted in the letters patent of
foundation, was found to have been granted already
to St. Katherine's Hospital near the Tower of
London, and the grant was revoked on 10 March
1338. In its place King's Hall was granted, on
12 March of the same year, the reversion of the
advowson of the church of Fakenham (Norf.), held
by Queen Isabella who was licensed to surrender it. (fn. 25)
On 24 May 1342 a commission was appointed for its
appropriation. In the same year, on 25 July, King's
Hall received its largest single acquisition of endowments, the four rectories and advowsons of Felmersham with Pavenham (Beds.), Grendon (Northants.),
Hintlesham (Suff.), and Great St. Mary's, Cambridge. (fn. 26) A century later, when complaints had been
made of King's Hall's inadequate endowments, the
advowson of the vicarage of Chesterton with the
right to appropriate the rectory, was granted on
2 May 1440. (fn. 27) Another century later, on 8 April
1541, shortly before the surrender to Henry VIII,
King's Hall acquired the last of its rectories and
advowsons, of Bottisham and of Arrington, in
exchange for annuities of £7 10s. 8d. from Waltham
Abbey and 40 marks from the farm of the manor
of Chesterton. (fn. 28) The advowson and the rectory of
Hintlesham had been granted away on 10 July 1387. (fn. 29)
The other seven advowsons passed to Trinity. The
only manors possessed by King's Hall were those
which appear to have been attached to the rectories
of Felmersham, granted in 1342, and of Chesterton,
granted in 1440. (fn. 30)
At first the Warden and scholars were maintained,
at a rate of £103 8s. 4d. annually, 4d. daily for the
Warden and 2d. daily for each scholar, by payments
ordered in 1338 to be made by the sheriff of Cambridgeshire. (fn. 31) On 1 May 1340 £55 of this was ordered
to be paid by the Abbot of Waltham, and in 1342
the Exchequer was charged with the remainder. On
1 August 1346 this remainder was charged on the
Prior of St. Neots. (fn. 32) On 1 December 1351, 12 May
1355, 4 February 1364, and 4 February 1415 the
grants were again readjusted, the Exchequer, the
Abbot of Waltham, the borough of Scarborough,
and the counties of Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire being made responsible for the payments with,
later, the Abbot of Sawtry (Hunts.). (fn. 33) Liveries of
robes until 1448, then corresponding money payments, were also made from the Exchequer. (fn. 34)
Constitution and Statutes.
The
youthfulness of many of the earliest members of
the society left the powers of government at first in
the hands of the Wardens. Increasingly, however, the
administration of the society passed to its senior
members. The management of expenditure and
receipts and of the common chest was by 1337 being shared between the Warden and six guardians
chosen by the members of the society. (fn. 35)
The appointments of Warden in 1375 and 1377
made his residence a condition of appointment and
also ordered the nomination of a deputy to manage
the external business of the house: this officer
acquired independent status in 1434. (fn. 36) By the late
14th century the guardians managed most of the
internal and external administration. In the 16th
century there were general meetings of all scholars
for the government of the house. The appointment
of Wardens and scholars rested with the Crown, but
the appointment of Wardens from 1364 to 1385 inclusive was declared to have been made in accordance
with the election or choice of the society: (fn. 37) this was
not said to be so thereafter.
Statutes were given to King's Hall by Richard II
on 5 March 1380. (fn. 38) They were not elaborate and
were concerned rather with the discipline of a house
of residence than with the education and studies of
a learned society. Scholars were to be at least fourteen years old on entry, with sufficient Latin to study
logic or any other subject chosen by the Warden, (fn. 39)
which they could not change without his consent.
The wearing of weapons and fashionable attire was
forbidden. All meals, at which the use of only Latin
or French was permitted, were to be taken in
common. Poverty was not a necessary qualification
for admission, but membership was to be forfeited
by the acquisition of a benefice worth 10 marks
yearly or a private income worth £5 yearly, (fn. 40) also by
entrance into a house of religion. Each scholar was
allowed 14d. weekly for commons. The Warden was
empowered to grant leave of absence. The Warden
was to bear rule in ordinary matters but in difficult
or important affairs was to consult all or most of the
other scholars. The keys of the common chest were
to be kept by the Warden and two stewards appointed annually, the Warden making account of
expenditure to the Exchequer. The common seal of
the College was to be affixed only with the consent
of the greater and wiser part of the society. Provision was made for the punishment of members
and for the suspension of their maintenances in the
society by the Warden and six of the senior scholars,
who also had authority to arbitrate in internal dissensions, and for expulsion by a decision of the
majority of the house.
The Visitor was the Crown, and in 1383 the
Bishop of Ely, acting as Visitor, did so on the
Crown's behalf: in 1401 King's Hall was apparently
exempt from the visitation of the University by
Archbishop Arundel. (fn. 41) In November 1446 the
Warden obtained leave to cease making an account
of expenditure to the Exchequer. (fn. 42) In the same year
was made the first appointment of a Warden, not
during pleasure and good behaviour, but for life:
this was henceforward the usual form down to at
least 1488, with the possible exception of those
Wardens nominated during the period when the
right of patronage was held by the Provosts of Eton
and King's Colleges.
Historical Sketch.
At the date of its
permanent establishment by Edward III King's
Hall was the largest College in Cambridge, and
throughout its history retained at least that degree
of importance implied by a close connexion with
the court and the public service. (fn. 43) Its scholars and
Wardens were nominated by the Crown; by the
late 14th century its members were often connected
with the upper ranks of royal servants and officers
of the court, and were increasingly drawn from a
wealthier class than most university students. (fn. 44)
From the later 14th century onwards the Wardens
often held high office in church and state, and were
frequently absent on public and ecclesiastical business, as were some of the scholars. (fn. 45) The first
recorded admission of a pensioner was in 1387: it is
thought that few were admitted. (fn. 46) The interest of
the Crown in King's Hall as a nursery of royal and
public servants was shown in royal gifts of books,
particularly on civil law, as in 1326, in 1368, and in
1440 for the use, in the first place, of a specified
scholar. (fn. 47)
Legal studies were apparently encouraged. (fn. 48) The
period after the foundation of 1337 was one of great
royal interest. In 1341 and 1342 Edward III expressed his great affection for King's Hall and his
sense of its importance. (fn. 49) Between 1338 and 1341
the buildings of the College were repaired, with
royal grants of money and timber. (fn. 50) In 1346 six
additional scholars were added to the establishment (fn. 51)
and in 1349 the first chest of money to provide a
reserve fund for loans and other exigencies was
founded and endowed. In 1349, between April and
August, the Black Death killed 16 of the 40 scholars
in residence. In 1360–1 a seond outbreak killed the
Warden and 8 more scholars. (fn. 52)
Soon after the grant of statutes the Bishop of Ely
was directed in June 1383 to inquire into alleged
negligence by the Warden, decay in the old buildings, and deterioration in discipline and numbers,
The Warden and six scholars were removed on
19 May 1385. (fn. 53)
An inventory of 1362 suggests that the society was
not then very wealthy. By 1390 the library contained
107 books, 69 being legal books and 52 of these on
civil rather than on canon law, and in 1399 a second
chest was endowed. (fn. 54) An inventory of plate and a
note of a valuable gift of books, of 1425, suggests
a society of some wealth. (fn. 55) Loss of revenue and consequent inconvenience is mentioned in 1440, (fn. 56) but
was followed by the grant of Chesterton Church.
Membership of the society was becoming of longer
tenure, and non-residence, often on public service,
was increasing. (fn. 57) Henry VI had continued the royal
favour to King's Hall, but on 24 February 1447 the
royal rights of patronage over the century-old
College were transferred to the provosts of the new
royal colleges at Eton and Cambridge, who on
24 January 1448 were also granted visitatorial
powers of discipline and supervision. They were
empowered to reform and enforce the College
statutes, which King's Hall was said to have disregarded. (fn. 58) With the deposition of Henry VI King's
Hall regained its former status, independence being
restored on 3 February 1462. (fn. 59) Indications in the
later 15th century are that the society continued to
be of some wealth, with distinguished connexions. (fn. 60)
In addition to the chapel, a new range of chambers
was built in 1489, and in about 1515 a new large
gatehouse was begun, the future Great Gate of
Trinity. (fn. 61) Its first purely educational endowment, a
fellowship in canon law, seems to have taken place in
1494. (fn. 62) A rota for the nomination of proctors in 1514
does not suggest that King's Hall then stood high
in importance in the University, (fn. 63) but the valuation
for first fruits and tenths in 1534 assessed its income
at £211 12s. 8½d., exceeded only by King's College,
St. John's, and Queens'. (fn. 64) The years 1539–40 saw
unseemly disputes. The Warden, Geoffrey Blythe,
was accused of compelling forcibly the resignation
of a fellow, who was in turn accused of burglary, to
make way for a chaplain of Hugh Latimer; and was
also accused of avoiding the admission of a royal
nominee in favour of a friend by retreating to his
chamber and feigning slumber. He was said to have
declared that none might join the society 'without
my licence and good will and I may do my friend
pleasure and am a good fellow, for I will take 40s.
or 20s. for my kindness'. All this he denied. (fn. 65) But
property continued to be acquired five years before
the surrender to Henry VIII. In the commissioners'
survey of 1545–6 the regular calculable income,
excluding fines on renewal of leases, was assessed
at £214 0s. 3d. yearly, exceeded by King's College,
Queens', St. John's, and Christ's, and its expenditure
at £265 18s. 7d. yearly. (fn. 66) King's Hall was a society
of 50 persons, a Warden, 32 fellows or scholars, and
17 servants, at the time of its surrender, which took
place on 29 October 1546 and was legally completed
by the enrolment of the acknowledgment of the
surrender on 17 December, (fn. 67) a few days before its
buildings, site and property were merged in the new
foundation.
Buildings.
The years 1375 to 1437 saw a period
of slow rebuilding, completed by a fine entrance
tower, to replace Robert de Croyland's house, on a
site nearer the St. John's boundary. This tower, one
wing of the new buildings, and the garden of King's
Hall, survive as the clock-tower, 'King's Hostel'
building, and Fellows' Bowling Green of Trinity. (fn. 68)
A separate place of worship is first mentioned in
1419–20 in the accounts for building an oratory, (fn. 69)
but the normal place of worship continued to be All
Saints' Church (fn. 70) until 1485 when the College chapel
begun in 1464 was completed; the chapel was not
consecrated until 1499. A new library was built
1416–22. (fn. 71)
MICHAELHOUSE
Foundation.
The other medieval College
merged in Henry VIII's foundation, dedicated to
the Trinity, the Virgin Mary, St. Michael, and All
Saints and known as Michaelhouse, was a smaller
and more purely clerical society, of private foundation, and without the royal and governmental connexions of King's Hall. It was founded on 27 September 1324 by Hervey de Stanton, a well-beneficed
ecclesiastic and Chancellor of the Exchequer to
Edward II who had sent his own scholars to Cambridge a few years earlier. (fn. 72) On 1 June 1324 he
obtained licence to found a house of scholars and to
give them a messuage in which to reside, together
with the advowson of St. Michael's Church. (fn. 73) On
31 August and 1 September the Bishop, Prior, and
Chapter of Ely gave their approval. (fn. 74) On 27 September, in the presence of leading figures in the town
and University, the ceremony of foundation took
place. Hervey de Stanton was present, to appoint the
first members and give the new College its statutes. (fn. 75)
The following day he confirmed them in possession
of their house and advowson; and on 12 November
the legal transfer was completed. (fn. 76) Corporal possession of St. Michael's Church was confirmed to the
College by the officials of the archdeaconry of Ely on
12 March 1325. (fn. 77) Hervey de Stanton died on 2 November 1327 and was buried in St. Michael's Church.
He left vestments, books, and relics to the College. (fn. 78)
Site.
The home of the College had been purchased
by Hervey de Stanton on 16 March 1324, when he
acquired from Roger Buttetourte a house and
grounds on the east side of 'Mill Street', in what is
now the south-eastern corner of Great Court. (fn. 79) The
previous autumn, on 15 September 1323, he had
acquired from Dera de Madingley a house in the
High Street, opposite St. Michael's Church, the
advowson of which was included in the purchase,
and it is possible that he gathered his scholars here
before their final establishment farther west. (fn. 80) Two
years after the foundation, on 11 November 1326,
Hervey de Stanton added to the site of Michaelhouse
by giving the College a house and land north of
its existing home, and also another messuage in the
High Street opposite St. Michael's Church. (fn. 81) On
28 September 1337 the most northerly part of the
College site was acquired, the messuage known as
Crouched Hall, later Newmarket Hostel, (fn. 82) and the
continuous site along three-quarters of the future
western side of Great Court was completed by the
acquisition of three messuages, including a building
called the Archdeacon's House, on 3 February
1353. (fn. 83) In the meantime two plots of land with one
house on them, immediately south of the home of
the society, had been conveyed to it, on 19 March
1331, by John de Illegh, one of Hervey de Stanton's
executors. (fn. 84) By the mid-14th century Michaelhouse
thus possessed the greater part of a compact site
between the position of the present Queen's Gate
on the east and the 'King's Ditch', a watercourse
crossing the site of New Court and Nevile's Court,
on the west, between the position of the present front
door of the Master's Lodge on the north and Garret
Hostel Lane on the south: the site was completed by
the leasing of 'Millstones' in 1434; on 1 August 1542
it was bought outright. (fn. 85)
Michaelhouse also acquired in time the north-east
corner of the future site of Dr. Caius's foundation
opposite St. Michael's Church. (fn. 86) More important
for the future Trinity was the acquisition in 1349
from Joan de Refham of the site of St. Catherine's
Hostel in the south-east of the present Great Court. (fn. 87)
The purchase of St. Margaret's Hostel in 1396 (fn. 88) left
Michaelhouse the owner of the greater, southern
part of the site of the present Great Court, with the
exception of Physwick Hostel, and of as much of the
site of the present Nevile's Court, New Court, and
Bishop's Hostel as was east of the King's Ditch.
Endowments and Advowsons.
During
the three remaining years of Hervey de Stanton's
life after the foundation the endowment of Michaelhouse remained the rectory and advowson of St.
Michael's Church, while Hervey de Stanton paid
current expenses himself. (fn. 89) On 20 October 1326 he
obtained licence to grant Michaelhouse the advowson of Barrington, and the manor of Lancaster (in
Barrington). (fn. 90) The grant remained unexecuted at
his death, and his executor, Alexander de Walsham,
was licensed on 13 April 1328 to grant the advowson, (fn. 91) and on 15 May 1329 to grant the reversion of
the manor. (fn. 92) On 1 January 1329 the Bishop of Ely
decreed the appropriation of the church to Michaelhouse. The church appears to have passed into the
possession of Michaelhouse by February 1330 (fn. 93) and
the manor by 10 October 1339 when the royal
escheator was ordered to restore it to Michaelhouse. (fn. 94) Hervey de Stanton had on 2 October 1326
obtained licence to grant to Michaelhouse the advowson of the rectory of Cheadle (Staffs.) (fn. 95) which
also remained unexecuted until Alexander de Walsham obtained another licence on 20 February 1329. (fn. 96)
The grant to the College was completed in the Hilary
term, 1332. (fn. 97) The advowson of the rectory of
Tittleshall (Norf.) was granted to Michaelhouse by
one of Hervey de Stanton's executors under a licence
of 28 February 1338; (fn. 98) it was assigned by the College
to the Priory of Walsingham under a licence of 16
August 1359. (fn. 99) On 1 June 1353 the advowson of
the rectory of Grundisburgh (Suff.) was granted to
Michaelhouse by Walter Wauncy (fn. 100) under a licence
granted on 6 May (fn. 101) which also permitted Michaelhouse to appropriate the church; other royal and
papal licences to appropriate were granted in July
and December 1402 (fn. 102) , and in October 1405 Michaelhouse requested papal permission to appropriate out
of the rectory, and that of Cheadle, the maintenance
for an additional scholar; (fn. 103) at the surrender to Henry
VIII the rectories of Grundisburgh and Cheadle remained unappropriated. The last of Michaelhouse's
five advowsons which passed to Trinity, that of the
rectory of Orwell, was granted to them on 1 April
1417 by Richard Hargar. (fn. 104)
Manors.
At the surrender Michaelhouse held five
manors. Apart from Lancaster (in Barrington), two
other Barrington manors had been acquired, that
of Heslarton on 3 November 1374 (fn. 105) under a licence
granted on 25 October, (fn. 106) and that of Spalding four
years before the surrender, on 4 September 1542. (fn. 107)
The manor of Ickleton was acquired from John de
Illegh, for the endowment of two additional fellowships and a chantry priest, under a licence of 16
June 1345. (fn. 108) Winghale Priory and manor (Lincs.),
was acquired on 24 December 1461. (fn. 109)
Two educational endowments, in addition to Ickleton manor, were of land in London for the maintenance of two poor scholars or 'Turk's children', granted
in a will of 1 March 1429, (fn. 110) and of land in Mildenhall
for the support of two Bible-clerks or 'Sygo's children',
under an agreement of 12 October 1483. (fn. 111) Michaelhouse also drew an income from the lease of parts of
its site, which were managed independently as Newmarket Hostel, Gregory's Hostel, Ovyng's Inn, Garret
Hostel, St. Catherine's Hostel and, until its purchase
by Gonville Hall in 1467, St. Margaret's Hostel. (fn. 112)
Constitution and Statutes.
The
statutes of Michaelhouse were given on the day of
foundation. (fn. 113) The first Master and seven fellows
were named. Fellows, or scholars (the terms were
interchangeable), were to be regents in arts or
philosophy, or bachelors of arts proposing to take
the M.A. degree and study theology: all had to be
priests or to take priest's orders within a year of
admission. Poverty was not a qualification for membership, but possession of a benefice or private
income worth £5 yearly involved forfeiture of place,
as did the entry into religion. Priests were to have an
allowance of 5 marks and deacons 4 marks a year.
The Master and all fellows were to eat together and
dress alike: 12d. weekly was allowed to each member
for food. Provision was made for two servants, a
barber and a laundress. A fellow was to be nominated
weekly to act as steward. Detailed regulations were
made for services in St. Michael's Church, which
were, however, not to be allowed to hinder study.
Disputes were to be composed by the Master and
the wiser part of the society, unless reference to the
Bishop of Ely or Chancellor of the University was
necessary. The Chancellor of the University was to be
Visitor. Guests were prohibited, but supplementary
statutes soon provided for their entertainment. (fn. 114)
Buildings.
It is not known what building extension there was after the original foundation. It is
said that twelve sets of rooms were constructed in the
late 14th century, and in 1429 these twelve apparently constituted the whole accommodation for the
fellows. (fn. 115) A list of benefactors records gifts of 100s.
and of 40 nobles in the late 15th century, for 'the
new building'. (fn. 116) The College worshipped in St.
Michael's Church in accordance with the statutes of
Hervey de Stanton who had rebuilt the choir for its
use: there is no record of the existence of a chapel
although it is said that in 1392 the college obtained
leave from the Bishop of Ely to celebrate divine
service in its own house, (fn. 117) and in June 1431 the
Master was allowed to have a portable altar. (fn. 118)
General History.
Michaelhouse was a small
society, designed for the studies of a graduate secular
clergy. (fn. 119) It was never particularly under the surveillance of external authority and its surviving
records are consequently few. In 1346 it was visited
by the Chancellor, at its own request. (fn. 120) In the late
14th and early 15th centuries 'chests' for loans were
founded and endowed in the College. (fn. 121) At the beginning of the 15th century the revenue seems not
to have been abundant: in 1402 the College asked
to be allowed to discontinue the maintenance of
John de Illegh's chaplain (fn. 122) and in 1405 sought to
augment its revenues for the maintenance of an
additional scholar out of the appropriation of two
of its rectories. (fn. 123) During the second quarter of the
15th century the Master, John Otryngham, had
many title-deeds, domestic statutes, and miscellaneous notes copied into a folio volume on which
much of the knowledge of the College's history depends. (fn. 124) By the late 15th century Michaelhouse
seems to have enjoyed, in relation to its size, fair
wealth and standing. The list of benefactors was
becoming long and notable, and included a gift of
200 books from a late-15th-century Master, John
Yotton. There are indications of new building in the
early 16th century. The College was several times
chosen at this period to overlook benefactions to
other colleges as beneficiary in reversion. (fn. 125) John
Fisher was a member of the society at the end of the
15th century: as his successor in the presidency of
Queens' he chose a former fellow of Michaelhouse,
Dr. Bekenshaw or Birkenshaw, while another member of Michaelhouse, Henry Hornby, Master of
Peterhouse, assisted him in the foundation of St.
John's, where yet another member of the society,
Nicholas Metcalfe, was chosen as third Master. (fn. 126) In
the rota for proctors of 1514 Michaelhouse had six
turns compared with the eight apiece of four larger
colleges. (fn. 127) In 1534 the annual revenue of Michaelhouse was valued at £124. 15s. 6d., (fn. 128) and in the Commissioners' Survey of 1546 its regular, calculable
income for the support of a Master, eight fellows,
three chaplains, four Bible-clerks and four servants,
was assessed at £141 13s. 10d.; (fn. 129) in both surveys
Michaelhouse was placed about half-way up the
list of college revenues. In 1536 Cromwell gratified
Cranmer by obtaining the appointment of his chaplain, Francis Malet, as Master. (fn. 130) In these last years
before the surrender the numbers matriculating from
Michaelhouse greatly increased, eleven pensioners
and one scholar doing so in the Michaelmas term of
1546, (fn. 131) even though on 29 October the College surrendered its possessions, including its independently
managed hostels, to the king. On 17 December the
acknowledgment of the surrender was enrolled. (fn. 132)
TRINITY COLLEGE
Foundation.
At the time of the surrender of
these earlier societies to Henry VIII the work of
forming the new College was already in progress.
The origin of the new foundation was in the crisis
confronting University colleges in 1545 when an act
was passed authorizing their dissolution. (fn. 133) The
University obtained the appointment on 16 January
1546 of a friendly commission, including John Redman, the Warden of King's Hall, to inquire into the
state of the colleges. (fn. 134) By the end of February the
commissioners' report had been received, favourably,
by the king. (fn. 135) In the meantime the University had
petitioned Katherine Parr, through Thomas Smith,
for her good offices. (fn. 136) On 26 February she 'scribeled'
a reassuring reply, that far from destroying such
ancient and godly institutions the king would 'rather
advance lernying and erecte new occasion thereof'. (fn. 137)
Thus the new College was foreshadowed. In view of
Henry's need of money his motive was probably at
least in part that attributed to him by the queen:
'that lernyng may hereafter justly ascribe hyr verye
orygynall hole conservation and sure staye to our
sovereyne lorde.' By 20 May the buildings of the
dissolved House of Grey Friars, on the present site
of Sidney Sussex College, were being demolished
to provide stone for the erection of the new College. (fn. 138)
Already a 'first plott or proportion' for its composition and constitution had been drawn up, under the
title Distribucio Collegii, by the Court of Augmentations, probably early in April. (fn. 139) The officers of the
College and their stipends were specified in detail.
It is not recorded that commissioners were appointed
to take over the existing foundations; on 29 October
King's Hall and Michaelhouse made their surrenders
to the king, as also did Physwick Hostel which had
flourished as part of Gonville Hall. (fn. 140) The surrender
of Physwick Hostel was acknowledged on 10 December, those of King's Hall and Michaelhouse on
17 December. (fn. 141) Some members of the new College
were probably in residence in the Michaelmas
term. (fn. 142) On 19 December 1546 came the charter of
foundation, followed on 24 December by the charter
of dotation by which the College was endowed. (fn. 143)
The College was declared in the preamble to the
charter of foundation to be designed for the glory
and honour of Almighty God and of the Holy and
Undivided Trinity, for the increase of and strengthening of the pure Christian religion, for the
extirpation of error and false teaching, for the increase of godliness and all good learning, for the
education of youth in piety and knowledge, for the
assistance of the poor and 'in fine for the common
benefit and prosperity of the Church of Christ, of
our kingdom and of our subjects'. In the circumstances of its foundation, in its declared purpose, and
in the person of its first Master, John Redman,
Trinity was an exemplar of the Henrician settlement.
Continuity with the past was not altogether
broken. The chapel of King's Hall and the hall of
Michaelhouse remained in use, (fn. 144) the Warden of
King's Hall became the first Master of Trinity, and
with King's Hall in particular there was a continuity of tradition; in January 1547 the new society
was called 'the King's scholars' (fn. 145) and as late as 1589
a burial record refers to 'King's Hall otherwise called
Trinity College'. (fn. 146) But the new endowments greatly
overweighed the old, and from the start the surviving members of the earlier foundations must have
been heavily outnumbered by the new recruits.
These are thought to have come entirely from Cambridge colleges. (fn. 147)
Site.
The site of Trinity was those of King's Hall
and Michaelhouse, together with that of Physwick
Hostel on the south side of the present Great Court.
The land opposite St. Michael's Church was sold to
Dr. Caius for his new foundation of 1557. In 1613
land was acquired west of the river, (fn. 148) where further
purchases were made in 1663–4; the site of the
garden west of Queens' Road was purchased in 1871
after Whewell's death. The only material extension
of the College site for building arose from the bequest by Whewell of the site of Whewell's Court on
the east of Trinity Street in 1863. (fn. 149)
Endowments and Advowsons.
The
endowments of the new College were enumerated
in detail in the letters patent of 24 December 1546. (fn. 150)
All the property of King's Hall and Michaelhouse
was transferred to Trinity. (fn. 151) Further grants were
made to a total annual value of £1,678 3s. 9¼d., less
rents of £38 3s. 9½d.
The advowsons of 40 churches were granted to
the College: Great Barford, Cardington, (fn. 152) Keysoe, (fn. 153)
Eaton Bray, (fn. 154) Roxton, Shitlington, (fn. 153) Stagsden (fn. 155) and
Stotfold (fn. 153) (Beds.); Mesworth (fn. 153) (Bucks.); Over,
Shudy Camps, (fn. 152) and Trumpington (Cambs.); Gainford (Co. Dur.); Hatfield (fn. 153) (Essex); Hitchin, Ippollitts, (fn. 153) Ware (Herts.); Brading (I.W.); Wymeswold
(Leics.); Little Coates, (fn. 152) Ravendale, (fn. 156) and Swineshead (fn. 152) (Lincs.); Enfield (Mdx.); Blythe, Flintham,
Hoveringham, Langford, (fn. 153) Thurgarton, and Tuxford (fn. 153) (Notts.); Monk's Kirby and Withybrook
(Warws.); Coxwold curacy with dependent curacies, (fn. 152)
Darfield, (fn. 152) Kellington, Masham, Normanton, Pickhill, (fn. 154) Sedbergh, Walkeringham, (fn. 153) and Whitkirk (fn. 152)
(Yorks.). All were vicarages except Coxwold; the
four rectorial livings possessed at this time came
from Michaelhouse (three) and King's Hall (one). (fn. 157)
Four more advowsons, of Heversham, Kendal, and
Kirkby Lonsdale vicarages in Westmorland and of
Aysgarth vicarage in Yorkshire were given, together
with their rectories valued in all at £376 10s. 3d.,
by Queen Mary on 29 May 1554, (fn. 158) to offset deficiencies in the value of Henry's endowments of
which the College had complained in the previous
reign. (fn. 159)
Other advowsons acquired later were of Skidby
(Yorks.) on 24 November 1619, with money given
by Lady Bromley; (fn. 160) the rectory of North Runcton
(Norf.), in 1623, by bequest from Thomas Hopes; (fn. 161)
the third turn of presentation to the rectory of Guisely
(Yorks.) given by Sir Thomas Strickland on 17 October 1667; (fn. 162) the rectory of Loughton (Bucks.), (fn. 153) given
on 4 November 1678 by Francis Crane; (fn. 163) the rectory
of Papworth (Cambs.) (fn. 152) on 29 December 1673 from
Dr. Duport; (fn. 164) the rectory of Dickleburgh (Norf.) on
15 July 1681 from Dr. Chamberlain; (fn. 165) Bumpstead
Helions (Essex) (fn. 152) on 10 August 1727 with Mr.
Modd's bequest; (fn. 166) Gilling (Yorks.) in 1811 from
Mr. Pigott; (fn. 167) and the rectory of Reepham (Norf.)
for which North Runcton was exchanged, in 1840. (fn. 168)
Between 1850 and 1868 the vicarages of Barnard
Castle and Bolam (Co. Dur.), (fn. 152) and of Bottisham
Lode (Cambs.), (fn. 153) and the perpetual curacy of Bawtry
(Yorks.), (fn. 153) were acquired. The college also acquired
by a bequest of Dr. Thomas Allen in 1558 the
patronage of and right to present the master to
three schools, at Stevenage (Herts.) and at Stone and
Uttoxeter (Staffs.). At one time the College thus
possessed some 70 livings, mainly vicarages, of
which, however, few were of great monetary value. (fn. 169)
Manors.
In addition to the manors derived from
King's Hall and Michaelhouse, Henry VIII's endowment included the manors of Flintham, Hoveringham, Starthorpe, and Thurgarton (fn. 170) (Notts.); and
of Collesden (Beds.) and Marshland in Newdigate,
(Surr.), (fn. 171) It is not clear whether the manor of Pirton
(Staffs.) or merely a rent-charge, was granted to the
College. (fn. 172) The endowment also included the prebendal manor of Masham (Yorks.) and the rectorial
manors of Brading (I.W.); Enfield (Mdx.); Hitchin and Ware (Herts.); Shitlington and Stotfold
(Beds.); and Wymeswold (Leics.). (fn. 173)
On 24 May 1558 the manor of Whetstone (Leics.)
was devised to Trinity by Thomas Allen. (fn. 174) On
13 June 1606 the manor of Tritton in Tydd St.
Mary (Lincs.) was obtained in exchange for Winghole. (fn. 175) On 24 November 1619 the manor of Skidby
(Yorks.) was acquired with the advowson, as a
benefaction from Lady Bromley. (fn. 176)
Endowments were given for the maintenance of
scholars by Dr. Thomas Allen, 1558, Lady Jermyn,
1581, Lady Bromley, 1618, Dr. Samwaies, 1661,
Roger Jeston, 1662, Stephen Newnham, 1663, and
William Penry, 1701. Others were given in the 19th
century. (fn. 177)
Constitution and Statutes.
Until the
statutes of 1552 Trinity was governed only by the injunctions made for the regulation of colleges by the
University visitors of 1549. (fn. 178) The composition of the
College followed closely, however, that laid down in
the Distribucio Collegii of Spring 1546; a Master, 50
graduates and 10 undergraduates (comprising the 60
fellows and scholars of the foundation charter), 40
grammarians under a schoolmaster and usher, and
8 Bible-clerks. (fn. 179) The three regius professors of
Hebrew, Greek, and Divinity received their stipends
from the College. Between 1546 and 1552, probably
about 1550, the grammar school was abolished, the
grammarians becoming students. (fn. 180) From the beginning the Mastership was in the gift of the Crown.
On 8 November 1552 Trinity received its first
statutes. (fn. 181) They were very detailed. The number of
fellows was reduced to 50, the title being limited to
M.A.'s; the scholars numbered 60, including both
B.A. fellows designate and the younger students
formerly grammarians. Provision was made for 54
pensioners, who were to be subjected to an entranceexamination; all students including sizars were to
have a tutor. Twenty-four almsmen were to be
maintained. Educational and disciplinary functions
were charged upon named officers who constituted
the governing senatus. The office of Master was
described in detail and its importance was emphasized by the oath imposed upon its holder, including
a declaration to maintain the Protestant faith, the
authority of scripture, and the royal prerogative
against foreign claims to jurisdiction. A declaration
of religious belief and political allegiance was also
exacted from fellows. Elections to fellowships were
to be made by the whole body of officers: all fellowships obliged to the study of divinity except two
reserved for civil law and two for medicine; all had
to take holy orders within seven years of their M.A.
degree, except that the medical and legal fellows had
a longer period of grace. All fellowships except those
of the regius professors were vacated by marriage.
Acquisition of an income or benefice valued above
£10 yearly similarly involved forfeiture; poverty
was to be considered a recommendation in elections
to fellowships. Three fellows were permitted to
reside abroad for three years without forfeiture. Not
more than three natives of any one county could
hold fellowships simultaneously.
In November 1554 statutes were drafted but not
sealed. (fn. 182) They were without legal validity but
appear to have supplanted the Edwardian statutes
in practice and were the basis of the Elizabethan
statutes. (fn. 183) The number of fellows was restored to
60, including both M.A.'s and B.A.'s, distinguished
as major and minor fellows. The number of scholars
remained at 60.
New statutes were issued on 29 March 1560. (fn. 184)
They were even fuller than those of 1552. The
composition of the foundation remained as in 1554
except that two scholars were added and the number of chaplains reduced to four. The office of tutor
was clearly recognized, all students, including pensioners and sizars, being required to have one. There
was to be an annual entrance examination, and an
annual election of scholars from resident students.
A very wide educational curriculum was elaborated
in detail, and the discipline of communal life was
minutely prescribed. As the governing body under
the Master, the senatus, recruited ex officio, of the
Edwardian statutes, was replaced by the eight senior
fellows or Seniority. The county limitation on
fellowships was abolished but it was ordained that
candidates from places where the College owned
property were, ceteris paribus, to be preferred.
These statutes remained substantially unaltered
until new statutes were approved on 24 February
1844. These, however, made few important changes;
only scholars were allowed to sit for fellowships.
New statutes, of 22 February 1860 (fn. 185) made fundamental changes. It was made possible for the more
important College offices to be held by laymen, and
easier for a married man to hold a fellowship. The
distinction between major and minor fellows was
abolished. So also was the local preference ordained
in 1560. It was made possible, but not easy, for all
fellows to participate in the government of the
College at a general College meeting, while the
Master's voting-power within the Seniority was
reduced. Provision was made for the election of
non-residents into scholarships, and for the election
of honorary fellows.
In the 1870's Trinity was perhaps the most
prompt of colleges in the movement towards further
legislative reform, but the statutes of 3 May 1882
are rather a part of University than of College history. Among other provisions the Seniority was
replaced by a College council of thirteen members,
its composition partly ex officio and partly elective.
Facilities for the participation of all fellows in the
government of the College were increased.
New statutes were granted on 30 April 1926.
Among other changes, the Mastership ceased to be
tenable for life.
Three topics concerning the constitution governing the society may be noted. The Elizabethan
statutes provided for a four-day fellowship examination: by the 18th century the electors often omitted
to examine the candidates: in 1786 ten of the fellows
protested against this as an abuse, and in 1789 a
public fellowship examination was instituted. (fn. 186)
The statutes of 1552 had declared the Bishop
of Ely to be Visitor. The Elizabethan statutes did
not explicitly determine the point but directed the
Bishop to hear complaints against the Master. It
remained uncertain and, particularly during Bentley's Mastership, hotly disputed whether the visitatorial power had thus lapsed to the Crown. In 1860
the Crown was stated to be Visitor but the right to
hear complaints against the Master was reserved
to the Bishop. In 1882 all visitatorial powers were
vested in the Crown. (fn. 187)
In the statutes given to Westminster School by
Elizabeth I in 1560 three Westminsters yearly were
given the right of election to a scholarship at Trinity
(with similar privileges for the school at Christ
Church, Oxford); letters patent of 11 June 1561
confirmed this right. In 1569 it was agreed that
Trinity should take two Westminsters each year and
three each third year. Letters patent of 1576 repeated the former injunction of 1561 but the 1569
agreement continued normally to be observed. On
27 June 1607 James I ordered the strict observance
of the earlier injunctions and expressed a wish that
Trinity scholars should be drawn mainly from Old
Westminsters who should also be given preference
for fellowships. (fn. 188) Trinity resisted, but by an agreement of 13 October 1608 (fn. 189) undertook, in return for
the abandonment of these extreme claims, to take
the three Westminsters yearly and to grant them
seniority in candidature for fellowships. Intermittent
friction continued but by the late 17th century there
was a strong Westminster element in the College,
Old Westminsters constituting more than a quarter
of the fellows. About 1775 the Westminster ascendancy in fellowship elections ceased, without statutory
enactment. (fn. 190) By a statute approved on 25 June 1857
the Westminster right to scholarships was exchanged
for closed exhibitions. (fn. 191)
Buildings.
In the first year of the College
building operations were undertaken, (fn. 192) and in
1550–1 parts of Michaelhouse and Physwick Hostel
were altered. (fn. 193) In Mary's reign a Master's Lodge
and a row of chambers, including a library, were
erected connecting the building of Michaelhouse
with those of King's Hall, and also ranges on each
side of the Great Gate of King's Hall, linking it on
the north with the new chapel, which was commenced
in 1556 and completed in 1567. Its consecration is
not recorded. (fn. 194)
It was during the Mastership of Thomas Nevile
(1593–1615) that the buildings of Trinity substantially took their present form. Some of the
recent buildings as well as older ranges were swept
away to allow the construction of Great Court, the
largest of English college courts, between 1595 and
1605. The buildings included a new library, the hall,
the extension of the Master's Lodge, long ranges of
chambers and the fountain. The old Edward III
gate-tower of King's Hall was moved bodily into
alignment with the new north side of the court. (fn. 195)
To provide the necessary capital, Nevile obtained
permission for College lands to be let for longer
leases of twenty instead of ten years, allowing larger
fines to be levied. (fn. 196) He also lent £3,000 to the College
on easy terms. (fn. 197) Great Court completed, Nevile
himself paid for the construction, probably between
1605 and 1612, of a second court open to the river,
which bears his name. (fn. 198)
Half a century later the College entered on another period of building expansion. In 1670–1
Bishop's Hostel was built, with £1,200 given by
John Hacket, Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry. (fn. 199)
On 26 February 1676 the foundation was laid for the
most imposing of Trinity's buildings, a new library.
Sir Christopher Wren provided the design free of
charge. In the same year and in 1681 the two sides
of Nevile's Court were extended, at the cost of Sir
Thomas Sclater and Dr. Humphrey Babington, to
meet the new building. (fn. 200) The library was probably
completed by about 1688 but the interior fittings
took another seven years; the books were moved in
from the old library in 1695. The cost of the new
library was £16,425. (fn. 201)
The next extension of College buildings found to
be necessary came when King's (later New) Court
was erected between 1823 and 1825. (fn. 202) Forty years
later, between 1860 and 1868, 100 sets of rooms
were built opposite the main entrance to the College,
on a site bequeathed by the Master, William
Whewell. The extension of Bishop's Hostel, 1876–8, (fn. 203)
was the last considerable piece of building undertaken by the College. A hostel was erected in Green
Street after the Second World War.
Chapel.
In 1547 Trinity had removed all 'popish
traces' from the old chapel of King's Hall; the altar
and steps were taken down and a communion table
set up. Books, copes, and vestments to the value of
£140 were sold. (fn. 204) The new chapel of Trinity was
but imperfectly finished when, in 1565, Puritans, at
that time strong in the College, broke the windows
'wherein did appear superstition', (fn. 205) and demonstratively cast off their surplices. In the early years the
altar was placed two bays from the east end. An
organ is first mentioned in 1593–4. There is a full
report, from a Laudian standpoint, on the long-noted
neglect of chapel service and negligences in its performance, made in 1635 preparatory to an intended
visit by the archbishop; (fn. 206) it is noted that the College
'are about mending their chapel, if it holds', and in
June 1636, it is recorded that the College determined
to set the communion table at the east end 'as it is in
cathedral churches' and that 'the chapell be adorned
accordingly'. (fn. 207) In 1642 the ritual was high and the
furnishings elaborate; (fn. 208) expensive hangings had been
bought in London. (fn. 209) But in the same year, apparently
in anticipation of Dowsing's visit, these adornments
were removed, (fn. 210) and all he could find to do was to
have '4 cherubims and steps levelled'. (fn. 211) There are
records in 1644 of payments 'to divers soldiers at
several times that behaved themselves very devoutly in the chapel' and to some who 'defended
the chapel from the rudeness of the rest'. (fn. 212) At the
Restoration an organ, altar furniture, and the original
altar were replaced. In 1706 a new scheme of adornment was undertaken, not completed before 1734,
by which ornate classical panelling and stalls and a
great carved baldachin over the altar were set up.
The chapel was repaired in 1831–2, and between
1867 and 1875 the walls were decorated and the
present stained-glass windows inserted. (fn. 213)
Library.
The library, although it is not known to
contain any books from the libraries of Michaelhouse or King's Hall, has been enriched since the
early days of Trinity with notable acquisitions. It
was not, however, until 1608 that a 'librarian's place'
was founded and endowed, by Sir Edward Stanhope. (fn. 214) The gradual accession of interesting books
was presumably assisted by the 'conclusion' of
27 August 1662 that each major fellow was expected
to give to the library a book or books worth 20s. (fn. 215)
Of the more notable collections of manuscripts
the chief are Archbishop Whitgift's collection, including the Amalarius Codex; Dr. Nevile's collection, including Bede's translation of St. Paul's
epistles, of the 8th century, the library's earliest
manuscript, and the Canterbury Psalter; and Roger
Gale's large collection, including the manuscript of
the Lexicon of Photius. A fine collection of Hebrew
manuscripts was given by William Aldis Wright.
The Milton MS. was given by Sir Henry Puckering
in 1691.
The library possesses some 600 incunabula, and
a fine collection of canon law books.
The remarkable Shakespeare collection given in
1779 by Edward Capell, contains a complete set of the
folio editions of the plays. More important, a considerable number of early quartos are in the library.
A second set of folios is in the very valuable miscellaneous library of William Grylls bequeathed in
1863. Another large valuable library, mainly theological, was given in 1855 by the widow of Archdeacon Julius Hare.
More recently, books from Newton's private
library were given, during the Second World War,
by the Pilgrim Trust, and since the war Lord Rothschild has given a large library particularly rich in
18th-century first editions and in Swift manuscripts.
Historical Sketch.
In its infancy Trinity
owed a good deal to the College which itself was
much indebted for its existence to a member of
Michaelhouse: in the exaggerated words of Roger
Ascham Trinity was a colonia deducta from St.
John's. Its first four Masters were 'bread up before
in St. Johns'. (fn. 216) It took some 30 years for Trinity to
draw nearly level with St. John's in the number of
its admissions but by about 1575 their numbers were
in close rivalry and remained so until the Civil War. (fn. 217)
In the meantime the links with the Reformation
and with royalty had been illustrated by two visits,
of Bucer and Fagius in 1550, when they became
members of the College, (fn. 218) and of Henry's sister, the
Duchess of Suffolk, who stayed in the old Physwick
Hostel in 1551. (fn. 219)
About the same time the failure of Henry's endowments to yield the expected revenue of £1,600
yearly, 'by reason of decayed tenements and the
negligence of the first auditors and surveyors' was
a subject of complaint by the College. (fn. 220) In May 1554
Queen Mary provided additional endowments, (fn. 221)
expressing the unfulfilled hope that it would help to
provide scholars able to 'tear out by the roots the
perverse opinions of false prophets'. (fn. 222) The Master,
William Bill, was forcibly ejected. (fn. 223) But the reformed tendency represented by the first Master,
John Redman and by Bill, both of whom were concerned in revisions of the Prayer Book, was not to
be reversed. The accession of Queen Elizabeth I
brought Bill back, and in the next two decades it was
rather against the early attacks of Puritanism on the
Elizabethan church settlement within the College
that the Masters had to struggle. Robert Beaumont,
who succeeded Bill in 1561, shortly afterwards expelled Sanderson, a fellow of Puritan sympathies, (fn. 224)
and enforced the use of the surplice, occasioning the
demonstration against 'superstition' in 1565 under
the leadership of Thomas Cartwright who was at
that time a fellow. (fn. 225) Beaumont's personal sentiments
were, however, largely in harmony with those of the
Puritans. This sympathy with Puritan doctrine was
partially shared by John Whitgift who succeeded
him in 1567. But the discipline and order of the
established church were firmly enforced and in the
clash between Whitgift and Cartwright, whom he
expelled from his fellowship in 1572 for failing to
take priest's orders, (fn. 226) the College witnessed the rehearsal both of a national struggle and of its outcome.
Whitgift was not an easily popular Master, but in
him the College had a head the weight of whose
personality was felt throughout the University. (fn. 227)
Meanwhile the College estates had been surveyed
under a royal commission of March 1561. (fn. 228) Other
commissions were licensed in 1564, 1568, 1582, and
1599. (fn. 229) In 1574 Whitgift spent four weeks of travel
in surveying College estates. (fn. 230)
Under Whitgift the numbers of admissions rose
to rival those of St. John's at a level not reached
again until the 19th century, (fn. 231) and Trinity became
a place of education of sons of the great and fashionable. Whitgift's tutorial accounts have been printed, (fn. 232)
and contain payments for Lord Edward Zouch, (fn. 233) the
Earl of Cumberland, and the brothers Anthony and
Francis Bacon; Edward Coke had come up in 1567,
and two years after Whitgift had left to become
Bishop of Worcester, Robert Devereux, Earl of
Essex, was admitted, during the Mastership of
John Still. (fn. 234)
The firm discipline of Trinity's Masters during
its first half-century of existence had established its
status securely, but it was under the wealthy and
well-connected Thomas Nevile (1593–1615) that
Trinity assumed both its spaciousness of building and
the high degree of royal and courtly association with
the specifically governing class that distinguished it
until the Civil War, more perhaps than in any subsequent period. At the end of the 16th century
numbers had somewhat fallen, but by about 1610
had risen again until they once more fell from about
1625 until the Civil War. A curious instance of the
connexion with the government in London is a
request sent to Burghley in 1595 that robes might be
lent from the Tower for two comedies and a tragedy
to be performed at Trinity on the occasion of the
'Bachelor's Commencement'. (fn. 235) More seriously the
College wrote on 12 March 1601 to Robert Cecil,
that the intrusion of covetous persons upon the
possessions of the College had made it 'bold from
time to time to chose some personage of honour to
patronize our poor college'; and they now thus
sought his favour, his father, Burghley, having filled
'this office' before him. (fn. 236) The great building operations absorbed much of the College's attention at
this time, and proceeded harmoniously. In 1595 the
site of the Grey Friars had been leased for the
foundation of Sidney Sussex College. In 1607 James
I sought to secure more assuredly the privileges of
Westminsters at Trinity granted by Elizabeth I, and
met with resistance. This was not substantially successful and the Westminster infusion grew stronger
in the 17th century. But it occasioned an impressive
statement, perhaps composed by Nevile himself, of
the success and high station then achieved by those
Trinity men who were not Westminsters, including
the two archbishops and seven bishops. (fn. 237) At this
time members of the College, including Nevile's
successor, John Richardson, were prominent in the
production of the Authorized Version of the Bible.
The lodging of the Judges of Assize at the Master's
Lodge probably dates from Nevile's time; Coke
stayed in Trinity when on circuit in 1610 and 1612
and the practice became customary. (fn. 238) In 1613 Prince
Charles was entertained at the lodge by Nevile. In
1615 James I made two visits. Nevile had died
shortly before the second of these. The royal statues
erected on the Great Gate in commemoration of the
royal visits indicate also something of the character
of the College in his Mastership.
The governmental and royalist connexions and
the courtly sympathies at the lodge continued under
Richardson, Mawe, and Brooke. They did not, however, dispose Trinity to acquiesce easily in the royal
enforcement of Westminster privileges and on 30
September 1623 James sent letters patent requiring
that pre-election to fellowships, which impeded the
election of Westminsters, should cease. At the same
time he spoke of his great interest in the welfare of
'our College', which was 'the fairest in all our kingdoms'. (fn. 239) He stayed at Trinity in December of the
following year and the ratification of the marriage
treaty with France was signed in the lodge. (fn. 240) In 1626
Trinity, under the vigorous guidance of the Master,
Leonard Mawe, was the chief supporter of the Duke
of Buckingham in his election as Chancellor. In
the following year Buckingham and Laud visited
Trinity. (fn. 241) The doctrinal complexion of the College as
a whole was not, however, necessarily in conformity
with the Laudian ideal or the views of the lodge. In
1635 it was noted that in some tutors' chambers private
prayers were 'longer and louder by far' than in the
chapel, and that many fellows gave a bad example of
individualistic disrespect for the established order of
worship. (fn. 242) The diverse characteristics of the College
ethos were becoming assembled.
In the first half of the 17th century Trinity was
remarkable for the poets who were members of the
College. George Herbert came up in 1609, John
Suckling in 1623, Andrew Marvell in 1633, Abraham Cowley in 1637, and John Dryden in 1650. (fn. 243)
The brief Mastership of Leonard Mawe (1625–8)
is said to have rescued the College from debt (fn. 244)
perhaps arising from the expenses of the recently
erected buildings. By 1630 the College finances were
sufficiently prosperous to permit what was probably
the first distribution of surplus income, in that year
£900, in 'dividends' to the fellows, additional to
their stipends. (fn. 245) The method of distributing each
unit of £1,000 of surplus income, which sum was
known as an 'original dividend', among the Master
and fellows, was set out by the seniors on 8 January
1646. (fn. 246) From then until about 1686 distributions
varied between one and two 'original dividends'
yearly.
During the Civil War and Interregnum Trinity
suffered heavily from the ejection of fellows. Of the
73 fellows in the College in 1642, after Lady Day, at
least 31 seem to have been ejected and 19 more are
said in Alumni Cantabrigienses or Walker's Sufferings
of the Clergy to have been ejected; of these 50
fellows none occurs in the stipendium list of 1652.
Only two of the 73 received payment as resident
throughout the period, two more had permission to
travel and one retained his fellowship without payment. Twenty-six fellows were irregularly intruded;
only four survived the Restoration. Thirty-nine
others were admitted 1642–59 and were confirmed
in their fellowships at the Restoration. In 1645 and
1646 there had been 'a wholesale disappearance of
the existing fellows'. (fn. 247) In 1643 the Earl of Manchester
established his headquarters at Trinity and supported the College plea for the discontinuance of the
sequestration of its property. (fn. 248) In February 1646 the
Committee for the Regulation of the University
ordered four fellows of Trinity to be made seniors; (fn. 249)
there were other instances of Parliamentary nominees
being favoured with advancement in seniority. The
following year Parliament ordered the College to
report on the alterations desirable in the statutes,
wherein 'there are divers absurd things savouring of
the darkness of those popish tymes wherein the said
Colledge was founded'. (fn. 250) In April 1649 the Council
of State wrote to the Master that students willing to
go in the summer fleet should not thereby be prejudiced in the Michaelmas fellowship elections. (fn. 251)
The filling of vacant fellowships was 'quite irregular' in form. Dr. Thomas Hill supplanted the
ejected Master, Thomas Comber, in 1645, but it was
not until 1648 that a patent appointing him Master
was granted in Parliament. (fn. 252)
The disturbance of personnel was great and the
interference of Parliamentary authorities with the
government of the College considerable. But the average number of yearly admissions was 49 in the decade
1640–9 and 45 in the decade 1650–9, both figures
being higher than they were to become in the later
17th and the 18th centuries. Nor was the intellectual life of the College in abeyance. At the beginning of the period the ideas of the Cambridge
Platonists were finding an early expression within
the College. (fn. 253) In 1646 Isaac Barrow came up, succeeded to a fellowship in 1649 and remained despite
his royalism until 1655 when, having published his
Elements of Euclid, he travelled abroad until 1659.
In 1646 John Ray also had come up, and in 1652
Francis Willoughby. With the mathematical and
botanical studies of these fellows the tradition of the
College as a home of distinguished scientific work
may be said to have begun. (fn. 254) Hardly less consonant
with the abiding character of the College was the
payment in 1659 of £30 to 'the learned Lithuanian
now employed here in translating the Bible into that
language'. (fn. 255) A little later, after the Restoration,
charitable donations were given, in October 1660,
to a Polish and two German students and to 'the
learned Grecian Rhodocanaces'. (fn. 256)
In July 1660 a petition was sent to the Crown that
John Wilkins should be confirmed in his position as
Master, (fn. 257) but Henry Ferne had been promised the
post by Charles I, (fn. 258) and his claim was admitted. In
April 1661 the Master and thirteen 'ancient lawful
Fellows' petitioned for power to reject intruded and
unworthy fellows. (fn. 259) But it appears that at least 43
fellows of the Interregnum survived the Restoration. (fn. 260)
The College during the later 17th century subsequent to the Restoration was the home of Isaac
Newton, who spent all his academic life from 1661
to 1696 within its walls; in Pearson and Barrow the
College had Masters of high distinction; and the
building undertaken was extensive, costly, and
splendid. But subsequent to the Civil War Trinity
was never again until about 1755 as close a rival to
St. John's in numbers as it had been in the late 16th
and early 17th centuries. (fn. 261) Neither of Barrow's successors, North and Montagu, despite their personal
merits, made an ideal Master, and under them royal
mandates for elections to fellowships were, until the
Revolution, frequent and deleterious. (fn. 262) At the same
time, until the later 18th century, the Westminster
privileges were, in practice, becoming accentuated.
The College attempted to resist both tendencies,
with only moderate success. (fn. 263) The result was a
decline in the general standard of fellows. In 1677
and 1682 the maintenance of stricter residence and
performance of College duties by fellows were the
subjects of 'conclusions' by the Seniority. (fn. 264)
In December 1674 Barrow spoke of the poor
monetary value of Trinity fellowships. (fn. 265) Perhaps
connected with a consciousness of this was the
benefaction of four advowsons to the College between 1667 and 1681. (fn. 266) The building operations may
have reduced the surplus income further, as from
about 1687 to about 1709 dividends were at a low
level, none being distributed in eight of the years. (fn. 267)
From 1675 the register of admissions was kept
more fully than before. The description of the
geographical provenance of the entrants 1676–91
shows that the midland counties and the north were
much more strongly represented than the south and
west. Nevertheless, London and Middlesex and
their near environs provided about a third of the
total; so, too, London schools and Eton provided
40 per cent. of the whole: thus the entry was to a
considerable extent 'metropolitan' rather than 'provincial'. (fn. 268)
In 1700 Trinity received as its Master a great and
mean man, Richard Bentley. Trinity retained sufficient status for it to be proposed that the Duke of
Gloucester, the heir to the throne, should be educated at the College under the new Master. But in
the decade 1700–9 the Trinity entry was smaller in
proportion to the rest of the University than before
or after, until recent years. During the two middle
decades of Bentley's 40-year Mastership the numbers
rose, but the Master's enmities were allowed to
damage the academic prospects of his opponents'
pupils, and in the last decade of his Mastership the
number of entrants fell lower than in the first:
throughout the 40 years as a whole, however, the
proportion of Trinity to University entries slowly
and slightly rose. The fruitful tradition of providing
facilities for a wide range of studies may be said to
have been inaugurated with the construction of an
observatory for the Plumian professor in 1706 (fn. 269) and
a chemical laboratory in 1707. (fn. 270) The promise that
Bentley's high conception of the College as a place
of learning and education gave of a recovery of
status was, however, largely nullified by the violent
domestic strife provoked by the greed and truculence that debased his ambition. In 1710–14 and
1728–34, Bentley was charged with misdemeanours
by a party of fellows in the court of the Bishop of
Ely, acting as Visitor: accusations of the malversation of College property and the misuse of his powers
to advance or retard the academic progress of members of the society were made against him. On both
occasions the opinion of the bishop went against him
and on both occasions he escaped, once by the death
of the bishop before delivering judgement, and at the
end by the refusal of the vice-master to execute a sentence of deprivation of the mastership. In these disputes with the fellows and in his concurrent dispute
with the University he sought refuge and favour by
recourse to the courts where his Hanoverian loyalties and his championship of the claim of the Crown
to act as Visitor stood him in good stead with the
government and the judges. The pertinacity of his
opponents was great but Bentley's resilience was
greater and he died in possession of the mastership
and in the exercise of its powers and functions.
Being under sentence of deprivation, he is not
described as Master on his tombstone in the
chapel. (fn. 271)
The intermittent strife did not altogether impede
the academic work of Roger Cotes, Robert Smith,
and Conyers Middleton. But by the mid-18th
century the number of entrants was dwindling
towards its lowest level. And the moral of the recent
conflicts, that in times of friction the College statutes
were as much a hindrance as a help, was, if drawn,
not acted upon.
In the meantime the educational work had been
increasingly passing from the College lectors to the
tutors and by the end of the 17th century the number of fellows who acted as tutors had been reduced
to about four. It rose in the first quarter of the 18th
century but by 1755 had fallen again to two tutors,
each with a definite 'side' of the College. Teaching
had largely passed into their hands and those of their
assistant-tutors. In the 19th century the number of
tutors had by 1872 risen to four, but it was not until
the last 30 years of the century that the education
of the undergraduates passed from 'assistant tutors'
to fellows with specified and recognized teaching
posts. (fn. 272)
One of the earliest works of Bentley's successor,
Robert Smith, was to borrow money cheaply: the
expenses of the Bentley war had been heavy and had
been borne by the College. In 1753 an attempt was
made to enforce more strictly the residence in Cambridge and attendance at lectures of undergraduates.
Trinity suffered perhaps less than some colleges
from suspicions of Jacobitism: £200 was subscribed in 1745 to the Association, (fn. 273) and the College
was later regarded as 'the great strength of the Whig
interest'. (fn. 274) But political individualism characterized
the College and Smith's advocacy of 'Jemmy
Twitcher' for High Steward in 1764 both antagonized a body of fellows and lost the College some
prospective undergraduates. (fn. 275)
About 1752 the number of 'original dividends'
distributed to fellows, which had remained fairly
steadily at two a year since about 1710, began a
gradual and steady rise to about twelve a year in the
first decade of the 19th century. Complaints were
frequently made in the 18th century of the poor
value of College livings, (fn. 276) few of which, unaugmented,
were said to be of sufficient value to require or permit the vacation of a fellowship. In 1768 the College
devoted £1,000 towards the augmentation of its
livings. (fn. 277)
Between 1770 and 1790 Nevile's Court, the
Bridge, and the Kitchen Building, containing the
Combination Room (now the Old Combination
Room), were brought by James Essex into harmony
with the taste of the time. (fn. 278)
College numbers reached their lowest level in the
decade 1760–9 but thereafter numbers began to rise
again fairly quickly. By about 1755 Trinity was once
more on a numerical level with St. John's, and subsequently the proportion which its members formed
of the whole University rose, until in 1790 it constituted about a third of the whole, at which level it
remained until the last quarter of the 19th century.
Of great importance, the tutors of the later 18th
century were, in the main, good. (fn. 279)
In the middle years of the 18th century the proportion of northcountrymen increased. By about
1775 nearly a half of the English entrants came from
the six northern counties, mainly from the northeast; London and its countryside continued to provide about a third of the English entry; and overseas
entrants now first became noticeable, being 7 or
8 per cent. of the whole.
The last two decades of the 18th century saw an
important rise in academic standards. The elections
to fellowships had become lax and unregulated in
form: electors often did not examine candidates
adequately. In 1786, during the mastership of John
Hinchcliffe, ten fellows made their celebrated protest against elections without examination. On being
censured they appealed to the Crown as Visitor, and
the judgement of Lord Thurlow in arbitration contained a salutary condemnation of such abuses. (fn. 280)
Gunning dated Trinity's ascendancy from this event.
Three years later, in 1789, the new Master, Thomas
Postlethwaite, instituted a public fellowship examination. The next year annual examinations for firstand second-year undergraduates were established. (fn. 281)
The attempt of the Evangelical Tory President
of Queens', Isaac Milner, to obtain from Pitt the
Mastership of Trinity in 1789 and 1798 in order
to force the College of Porson from its libertarian
tendencies (fn. 282) is a striking testimony to what he called
the 'great academical and even national importance'
of the society, and also, in the light of the Duke of
Gloucester's admission in 1787 under Hinchcliffe,
a testimony to its diversity. From about 1790
Trinity drew away in numbers from St. John's, and
particularly so after about 1820.
The second decade of the 19th century saw the
number of dividends distributed to fellows fluctuate
violently, (fn. 283) but in the main rise steeply to an average
of about 24 a year. Thereafter it fell to about 16, by
about 1824, then recovered to a level deliberately
kept fairly steady at about 19 dividends (fn. 284) in the mid19th century. The average annual distribution had
risen to 23 or 24 by 1886 when the distribution of
surplus income to fellows ceased in this form.
In the early 19th century Trinity's relative freedom from local restrictions on the disposal of its
awards enabled it to profit from the advance, at the
expense of the local grammar schools, of the bigger
'public' schools: at this period the range of schools
from which it drew its members began to narrow and
its entry began increasingly to be derived from the
large non-local school. The character of Trinity in
this period, with its strength largely in classical
learning, may be indicated by pointing to the friendships and ideas formed as undergraduates there by
Macaulay, Tennyson, or F. D. Maurice. Numbers
rose steeply during the first three decades, then more
gradually at much the same rate as those in the
University as a whole. In 1823–5 and again in 1860–8
accommodation was enlarged.
During the 19th century the history of Trinity
was in large measure a part of the wider history of
the University. But in two important respects that
wider history took its shaping from Trinity opinion.
In the first half of the century the College was
prominent in movements for academic and educational reform, and after the changes in the statutes
in 1860 (fn. 285) there was much activity within the
College in the discussion of further reform. An extensive programme of changes was submitted to the
general College meeting of 1867. (fn. 286) In 1871 a committee considered the election to and tenure of
fellowships (particularly the questions of compulsory celibacy and of life-fellowships) and the composition of the tutorial and educational staff. In
December 1872 the tenure of life-fellowships merely
by right of entering holy orders was abolished, and
the other proposals of the committee, in May 1872,
tending towards the abolition of compulsory celibacy
and of prolonged unconditional tenure of fellowships, had comprised a far-reaching change in the
character of the society. Royal approval of the
revision of the College statutes was withheld in view
of the anticipated appointment of a statutory commission, and the Trinity reforms became merged in
the more general changes of 1882. These lie, in the
main, outside the scope of college history; but it can
be said that in contributing to the changes of 1882
Trinity was 'the first of the Cambridge colleges to
break completely with the tradition of the past'. (fn. 287)
Trinity also contributed to the widening of University studies. In 1858 an exhibition in astronomy
was established, (fn. 288) and in 1867 scholarships were
established in oriental languages, (fn. 289) international
law, (fn. 290) and natural sciences, for which, in 1868, it
was ordered that one fellowship in three years should
be given. (fn. 291) At this period Trinity assumed seriously
the responsibility of providing a wide and systematic
range of lectures and supervisions for its undergraduates. (fn. 292) In 1870 Michael Foster was appointed
to a praelectorship in physiology (fn. 293) and in 1878
Trinity offered to found a chair of that subject, as
well as of history. In the 1870's scholarships were
being awarded in moral sciences. (fn. 294) The facilities
given in 1882 for awarding research fellowships were
turned to good account in Frazer's anthropological
researches, and by the late 19th century the fostering
of new or under-endowed subjects was established
as a distinctive but not wholly new characteristic of
the College, which more recently was to contribute
notably to the development of biochemical studies.
Since the First World War the numerical proportion of Trinity men to the rest of the University has
fallen greatly, to under 10 per cent., while its
numerical ascendancy over St. John's has almost
disappeared. Of other aspects of its recent history it
need only be said that the relatively large number and
varied studies of its fellows and research scholars is
in substantial conformity with the traditions of its
recent and more remote past. Its wide and diversified recruitment is similarly maintained by the presence among the 461 entrants (including research
students) in the years 1950–1 of 69 whose previous
education was outside Great Britain.
Notable Pictures. (fn. 295)
Of the portraits of historical interest the first to be mentioned is the lifesize full-length portrait of Henry VIII by Hans
Eworth, derived from the Holbein portrait made for
the Palace of Whitehall. It is in oil on an oak panel
in two pieces. The portrait was left to the College by
Robert Beaumont, Master.
Probably also bequeathed by Beaumont is the
life-size full-length portrait of Queen Elizabeth I,
probably by Marcus Gheeraerts. (fn. 296) There is also a
good copy, almost life-size, after the portrait of
Queen Mary Tudor in the Prado by Antonio More.
It was given by J. W. Clark in 1903. Of four portraits
of Francis Bacon, that in oil on panel, slightly less
than life-size, and probably contemporary, given in
1751 by Peter Burrell, should be mentioned. There
is a portrait of Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex,
on panel, probably contemporary and by Marcus
Gheeraerts, given by Robert Moxon in 1756. Of
eight portraits of Newton, that by T. Murray, threequarters length, given by Mrs. Ring, the granddaughter of Newton's niece, merits mention as being
probably contemporary. The three-quarter length
seated figure by Thornhill, was given by Bentley; this
portrait seems to have been used by Roubiliac
for his statue and bust. (fn. 297) The life-size seated figure
by Vanderbank, painted in 1725, two years before
Newton's death was given by Robert Smith, Master.
Robert Smith's own portrait, also by Vanderbank,
painted in 1730, was given by J. Riddell in 1827.
Two other portraits by Thornhill are possessed:
a life-size three-quarter length figure of Ezeckiel
Spanheim, given by Bentley; Bentley's own portrait,
given by himself, a life-size figure, to the knee. This
is identical with that in the National Portrait Gallery
and is probably the original. Also possessed, by
Kneller: Dryden, a life-size half-length holding a
laurel wreath, given by Sir Thomas Barlow in 1946;
Charles Montagu, 1st Earl of Halifax, a full-length
standing figure, nearly life-size, painted in 1699 and
given by Dr. Bainbrig; another portrait of the Earl
of Halifax, by Kneller, a life-size standing figure, to
the knee, bought by the College in 1852; Matthew
Prior, a life-size seated figure, three-quarter length.
By Reynolds: William Frederick, 2nd Duke of
Gloucester, a full-length figure, rather under lifesize, as a small boy of four, in fancy dress, painted
in 1780. It was given by Princess Sophia Matilda,
sister of the Duke, in 1843; John Manners, Marquess
of Granby, a full-length life-size standing figure, said
to have been given by Charles Manners, 4th Duke
of Rutland.
By Romney: William Frederick, 2nd Duke of
Gloucester, a life-size full-length standing figure,
aged 14 or 15, in the gown of a Trinity nobleman,
painted and sent to the College 1790–1, presumably
given by the Duke; Richard Watson, Bishop of
Llandaff, a life-size three-quarter length standing
figure, given by subscribers in 1929.
By Lawrence: John Jeffreys Pratt, 2nd Earl and
1st Marquess Camden, a full-length life-size standing
figure, source unknown; George Henry Fitzroy,
4th Duke of Grafton, a full-length life-size standing
figure, given by the Duke in 1831. Also, in the
library, a miniature by Lawrence of Thomas Moore,
given by T. Woolner in 1871. The College possesses
a reputed portrait of Byron, attributed to Lawrence,
given by A. C. Benson, in 1907.
Of other portraits, that of Matthew Raine by
Hoppner; the two of Isaac Hawkins Browne by Highmore, painted in 1731 and 1744; and that of Tennyson by G. F. Watts, painted in 1890 and given by the
painter, should be mentioned. The College also
possesses a small portrait of Scaliger, on a panel, bequeathed by Bentley; probably of the school of
Veronese. Notable among the College portraits are
those in marble in the antechapel and library. Foremost among them is the statue of Newton by Roubiliac, carved in 1755, in the antechapel. Also by
Roubiliac in the antechapel is the portrait bust of
Daniel Lock. (fn. 298) In the library are ten posthumous
marble busts by Roubiliac: of Sir Francis Bacon,
Isaac Barrow, Richard Bentley, Sir Edward Coke, Sir
Robert Cotton, Sir Isaac Newton, John Ray, Thomas
2nd Baron Trevor, Charles 1st Baron Whitworth, and
Francis Willoughby, all carved between 1751 and
1757. Also in the library are four marble busts by
Scheemakers: of Roger Cotes (1758), James Jurin
(1766), Edward Wortley Montagu (1766), and Robert
Smith (1758). The statue of Byron by Thorwaldsen
stands at the south end of the library. There are, by
Chantrey, a bust of Richard Porson in the antechapel,
and of Sir Walter Scott in a set of College rooms.
There are, by Woolner, a statue of Macaulay (1868)
in the antechapel, and a bust of Tennyson (1857) in
the library. A statue of Tennyson by Hamo Thorneycroft (1909) is in the antechapel.
None of the Michaelhouse or King's Hall
plate is possessed, or any pieces earlier than the
17th century. The earliest pieces possessed by the
College are a pair of silver-gilt flagons, London dateletter for 1607–8, given by Lord John Stuart and
Lord Bernard Stuart, sons of the Duke of Lennox. (fn. 300)
The next oldest piece is the large silver Nevile Cup,
London date-letter for 1615–16, given by Thomas
Nevile. The cover is missing. (fn. 301) Of silver rosewater
dishes and ewers the following are notable: a set, with
London date-letter for 1635–6 on the ewer, given by
Ambrose Aykerod, bursar; (fn. 302) a set, with London dateletter for 1662–3 on the ewer, given by Anthony
Grey, later 10th Earl of Kent; (fn. 303) a set, with London
date-letter for 1671–2 on the ewer, given by George
Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, probably when visiting Cambridge in October 1671. (fn. 304) Of silver bowls or
cups, with cover, the following are notable: a large
punch bowl with cover, London date-letter for
1691–2, given by Charles and George Firebrace, son
of Sir Basil Firebrace of the City of London; (fn. 305) a large
bowl and cover, with two handles, of porringer form,
with London date-letter for 1697–8, given by Henry
Boyle, later (1714) Lord Carleton; (fn. 306) a two-handled
cup and cover, given by the Hon. John Verney. (fn. 307)
Also noteworthy is a large plain silver salt. It is
inscribed as the gift of Dr. James Duport, vicemaster (1655–65, d. 1679) and is in the style of about
1675, but bears a London date-letter for 1733–4. It
was apparently remade on the old-fashioned pattern
of the original gift. (fn. 308) Three large silver tankards may
be mentioned, the first with a London date-letter
for 1698–9, given by Sir Thomas Bellot of Cheshire;
the second, with similar date-letter, given by Peter
Phesaunt of Upwood (Hunts.); and a third, with
London date-letter for 1699–1700, given by Sir
Thomas Alston of Woodhill (Beds.) (fn. 309) The college
also possesses a large and notable collection of 18thcentury silver candlesticks.
Seals.
The King's Hall Seal. (fn. 310) Size, 2¼ in. On a
low carved pedestal in a carved and canopied gothic
niche with open sides, K. Edward III, founder,
seated with crown, holding in the left hand a model
of a church, with the right hand presenting foundation charter to the Master, kneeling on the left, outside the pale of the niche. In base, under 5 carved
arches of a penthouse, 3 three-quarter length and
2 half-length suppliants with upraised hands. On
each side, on a mount, an oak tree, on which is suspended a shield of arms: left, England; right,
quarterly 1, 4, France (ancient), 2, 3, England, for
Edward III. Legend: sigullu' comune custodis
et scolarium aule regis cantebriggie. The best
of the imperfect impressions in the muniment room
is on a document of 1387. (fn. 311)
The Michaelhouse seal. (fn. 312) Size, 15/8 in. St. Michael
the Archangel, with expanded wings in the left
hand a shield of early form charged with a cross,
trampling on a dragon, and piercing his head with
a long cross held in the right hand. Legend: s' magri'
et scolariu' dom' sci' mich'is cantebr'. The best
example, a good one, in the muniment room, is
attached to an indenture of 12 October 1483 between
the College and the executor of Robert Sygo. (fn. 313)
The Trinity seal. (fn. 314) The Baptism of Our Lord; a
dove with nimbus and expanded wings descending
from rays of light in the upper part. Over the dove,
on a scroll, the inscription: hic est filius meus
dilect' i' ipsum audite. sigillum collegii trinitatis cantabrigiae fundatore henrico octavo.
Wardens of The King's Scholars and of King's Hall
John de Baggeshot: Mentioned 7 July 1317,
arrived in Cambridge 9 July, occurs to Easter
1321. (fn. 315)
Simon Bury: Occurs Christmas 1325 to 2 Oct.
1332. (fn. 316)
John de Langetoft: Occurs after 2 Oct. 1332 to
9 Nov. 1333. (fn. 317)
Thomas Powys: 10 Nov. 1333, appointed Warden
of King's Hall 7 Oct. 1337, died 14 Sept. 1361.
John de Schropham: 26 Oct. 1361, to 1 Dec. 1363.
Nicholas de Drayton: 1 Dec. 1363, resigned
2 Dec. 1364.
Nicholas Roos: 2 Dec. 1364, died 24 Sept. 1375. (fn. 318)
Richard Ronhale: 14 Nov. 1375, resigned 1377. (fn. 319)
Simon de Neylond: 12 Aug. 1377, removed
19 May 1385.
Thomas Hetherset or de Hethersett: 26 May 1385,
resigned 10 Jan. 1381.
Ralph Selby: 10 Jan. 1391, resigned 2 Aug. 1398.
Richard Dereham: 6 Oct. 1399 (fn. 320) to 21 Mar. 1413,
reappointed 5 June 1415, died 10 Aug. 1417.
John Stone: 23 Mar. 1413, resigned 5 June
1415.
Richard Holme: 3 Oct. 1417, died 22 Mar.
1424.
Robert Fitzhugh: 6 July 1424, resigned 2 July
1431.
Richard Cawdrey: 2 July 1431, resigned 29 Sept.
1447. (fn. 321)
Nicholas Ayscough: Sept. 1448, to 1449.
Nicholas Close: 1449.
John Blakman: 3 Dec. 1452, resigned 11 July
1457.
William Town: 1457. (fn. 322)
Richard Scrope: 11 Dec. 1457, resigned Dec.
1463.
Thomas St. Just: 12 Dec. 1463 to Sept. 1467.
John Gunthorpe: 30 Sept. 1467. (fn. 323)
Roger Rotherham: 28 Jan. 1473, died before
2 Oct. 1477.
Henry Bost: 2 Oct. 1477 to 30 Oct. 1485 (?).
Christopher Urswyke: 26 Nov. 1485, resigned
before 24 Apr. 1488.
John Blythe: 24 Apr. 1488 to 11 Feb. 1498.
Geoffrey Blythe: 11 Feb. 1498, resigned before
26 Nov. 1528.
Geoffrey Blythe junior: 26 Nov. 1528, (fn. 324) died
before 13 Mar. 1541.
John Redman: 13 Mar. 1541, (fn. 325) became first
Master of Trinity.
Masters of Michaelhouse
Walter Buxton: 27 Sept. 1324. (fn. 326)
Robert Mildenhall: Occurs Feb. 1331 to 5 Mar.
1346. (fn. 327)
Thomas Kenyngham. (fn. 328)
John Runham: Died on or before 29 Apr. 1354. (fn. 329)
Ralph de Langelee: Occurs 1 month after Easter
1357 to 1361. (fn. 330)
Michael de Cawston. (fn. 331)
William Gotham: Occurs 6 June 1369 to 1379. (fn. 332)
William Colvile: Occurs 1392, 1396, and 1397,
1402. (fn. 333)
Henry Granby: Occurs 3 July 1402 to 1420. (fn. 334)
John Otryngham: Occurs 30 Sept. 1423 to 1454,
dead by 1 July 1455. (fn. 335)
William Ayscough: Occurs 1455 to May 1466. (fn. 336)
Edward Story: Occurs 1466 to 1474. (fn. 337)
Richard Smith: Occurs 20 Oct. 1477. (fn. 338)
John Yotton: Occurs 1478 to 1494. (fn. 339)
William de Melton. (fn. 340)
John Fisher. (fn. 340)
John Fothed: Occurs 1498 to 1510. (fn. 341)
Thomas Stackhouse: Occurs 1516 to 25 June
1528. (fn. 342)
Nicholas Wilson: 1530–3. (fn. 343)
Francis Malet: Before 18 Jan. 1536 until surrender. (fn. 344)
Masters of Trinity College
John Redman: 19 Dec. 1546, died 4 Nov. 1551. (fn. 345)
William Bill: 19 Nov. 1551, ejected by 18 Oct.
1553, (fn. 346) reappointed 11 Jan. 1559, died 15 July
1561.
John Christopherson: 4 April 1555, died Dec.
1558. (fn. 347)
Robert Beaumont: 19 Aug. 1561, died 1567.
John Whitgift: 23 June 1567, resigned 1577. (fn. 348)
John Still: 17 May 1577, resigned 1593.
Thomas Nevile: 1 June 1593, died 2 May 1615.
John Richardson: 23 May 1615, died 20 Apr.
1625.
Leonard Mawe: 28 May 1625, died 2 Sept. 1629. (fn. 349)
Samuel Brooke: 19 July 1628, resigned 1631. (fn. 350)
Thomas Comber: 1 Oct. 1631, ejected 1645. (fn. 351)
Thomas Hill: 21 Mar. 1648, died 18 Dec. 1653. (fn. 352)
John Arrowsmith: 29 Nov. 1653, died Feb. 1659. (fn. 353)
John Wilkins: 17 Aug. 1659, ejected 1660. (fn. 354)
Henry Ferne: 29 Apr. 1660, resigned by 3 Dec.
1661. (fn. 355)
John Pearson: 11 Apr. 1662, resigned by 1 Dec.
1672. (fn. 356)
Isaac Barrow: 1 Dec. 1672 (?), died in Spring
1677. (fn. 357)
John North: 8 May 1677, died Apr. 1683.
John Montagu: 25 Apr. 1683, resigned by 21
Dec. 1699. (fn. 358)
Richard Bentley: 13 Jan. 1700, died 14 July 1742. (fn. 359)
Robert Smith: 24 July 1742, died 2 Feb. 1768. (fn. 360)
John Hinchcliffe: 27 Feb. 1768, resigned after
21 Mar. 1789. (fn. 361)
Thomas Postlethwaite: 12 June 1789, died 4 May
1798.
William Lort Mansel: 2 and 28 June 1798, died
27 June 1820. (fn. 362)
Christopher Wordsworth: 13 July 1820, resigned
Oct. 1841.
William Whewell: 13 Nov. 1841, died 6 Mar.
1866.
William Hepworth Thompson: 6 Apr. 1866, died
1 Oct. 1886.
Henry Montagu Butler: 19 May 1885, died
14 Jan. 1918.
Joseph John Thomson: 21 Feb. 1918, died 30
Aug. 1940.
George Macaulay Trevelyan: 24 Oct. 1940, retired 30 June 1951.
Edgar Douglas Adrian: 9 July 1951.