Cambridge Colleges Picturebook, I: Peterhouse, Clare, Pembroke

We begin with Peterhouse, the oldest of the colleges at Cambridge University, founded in 1284.


This is the main courtyard showing the chapel which was designed by Christopher Wren's uncle, Matthew Wren.












Part of the original stonework is still visible, shown here. The doors are so low that an average adult needs to duck to get through. Adults 700 years ago were shorter than we are.









The Chapel has a beautiful gothic window behind the altar.
















The beautiful daffodil garden was stunning to see in spring.

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Clare College was founded in 1326 as University Hall, then as Clare Hall, then Clare College.It's not to be confused with the college Clare Hall (will be pictured in a later post).

Here is the main courtyard.















The Chapel dates from 1763-1769.












The main gate contains the shield of Clare College's foundress, Lady Elizabeth de Clare, who was widowed three times. The shield, therefore, has teardrops around the upper part.










It is said that this building (the Master's Lodge?) is one of the most photographed in Cambridge. It lies along the backs of the Cam and has a very stately aura about it.










Clare College's gardens are exquisite and are certainly the pride of the college. To the right is a picture of part of the Fellows Garden, with the stately building in the background.












Here's another of Clare College's beautiful gardens.

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Pembroke College was founded in 1347. Its claim to fame is that the Chapel was the first building built by the famous architect, Christopher Wren.




Here's the facade of the chapel. Notice that one side is in yellow stone: the other three sides are of deep red brick.














As with all Wren buildings, his mathematical training is evident in the interior of the chapel as well as the exterior.














In this view of the Chapel entrance, you can see the symmetry of design.



















The next two pictures are of Old Court. You can see the various architectural styles in these two pictures. Pembroke developed over a 600-year period: hence the differing styles found.






















This is the library with a statue of William Pitt (an undergraduate at age 15 in 1773 and Prime Minister before age 25) out front.


















These two pictures are of Ivy Court.























New Court, pictured here, contains much open, green space. You can see how hard the students are 'studying' for their exams in this picture.