John had an opportunity to teach a recent morning at Corpus Christi College in Cambridge and I tagged along. I'm not supposed to admit this but I rather like that "other" university town. There is a centuries old rivalry between Oxford and Cambridge. In fact, it goes back to the year 1209 when a group of students left the University of Oxford and started up in Cambridge, after a dispute with the townspeople.
Today, Cambridge often outranks Oxford, especially in science and technology. It is also the wealthiest university in the UK and, in fact, in the whole of Europe, with an endowment of £5.89 billion in 2014. Cambridge is slightly smaller than Oxford, but it is every bit as beautiful. Plus, it has an Apple Store and a John Lewis -- both missing in Oxford. What Oxford has that Cambridge doesn't have is a Cathedral, although Cambridge does have the spectacular King's Chapel.
Corpus Christi College is the only college founded by Cambridge townspeople: it was established in 1352 making it the sixth-oldest college in Cambridge. With around 250 undergraduates and 200 postgraduates, it also has the second smallest of the traditional colleges of the University.
The old quad at Corpus Christi
Having lunch in the dining hall at Corpus Christi
The Chapel
King's College Chapel is a treasure of late Gothic architecture. It was started in 1446 by Henry VI and took over a century to build. It has the largest fan vault in the world and some of the finest medieval stained glass.
It is also famous for being the venue for the Christmas Eve service, A Festival of Nine Carols, and home to the beloved Choir of King's College.
Many of the Cambridge Colleges are built along the Cam river. It was too blustery a day for us to take a boat ride along the river but I hear that's one of the best ways to see the splendor of the college grounds. I need to come back soon and see for myself.
King's College was founded in 1441 by Henry VI but he was soon distracted by the War of the Roses and lack of funds and wasn't able to finish what he started. In 1508 Henry VII took an interest in the college and added his mark. It was finally finished in 1544 during the reign of Henry VIII.
Punting on the Cam
King' College Quad
Trinity College is the largest largest college in either of the Oxbridge universities by number of undergraduates -- around 600 undergraduates, 300 graduates, and over 180 fellows. It also has had 32 Nobel Laureates, also the most of any of the Oxbridge colleges.
Trinity college was founded in 1546 by Henry VIII. from the merger of two existing colleges.
Trinity Chapel
Memorials to former Fellows of Trinity, including Issac Newton
The Fitzwilliam Museum -- from 12000 BC art to Pablo Picasso and everything in between, this is a wonderful museum. Well worth a visit.
Trinity Lane
