The College of Corpus Christi and the Blessed Virgin Mary, to use its full name, is the 6th oldest college in Cambridge University, founded in 1352 by townspeople , primarily to train priests.

Given its long history, it is no surprise that it has a few strange stories to tell.  In 1381, for example, there was an early incident of town versus gown conflict when a mob led by the city’s mayor stormed the College in protest against its rigid exaction of “candle rents” or rent charges made against houses it owned, according to the number of wax-tapers found!

In 1573 a new college rule was introduced requiring that Latin be spoken at all times during Full Term; any student heard to speak English would be “subject to the heaviest penalties”.

In the 1960s a bar was opened in college! And in 1980 the first woman undergraduate was admitted.

Generally speaking, it is best to visit Cambridge during university vacation time, as most colleges are closed to the public when the students are in residence.  But Corpus Christi is one of the few colleges where the public can gain some access during term time.  You can gain access to the court and admire the beautiful buildings from there:

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Posted as part of Weekend Reflections.