Trinity Hall, Cambridge

Not to be confused with Trinity College, Cambridge.
Colleges of the University of Cambridge

Trinity Hall

                   
Full name College of Scholars of the Holy Trinity of Norwich
Founder William Bateman, Bishop of Norwich
Named after The Holy Trinity
Established 1350
Master Revd Jeremy Morris
Undergraduates 390[1]
Graduates 231[1]
Sister colleges All Souls College, Oxford;
University College, Oxford
Location Trinity Lane (map)
College website
JCR website
MCR website
Boat Club website

Trinity Hall is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. It is situated on the River Cam, nested between Clare College and Trinity College. It is the fifth-oldest college of the university, having been founded in 1350 by William Bateman, Bishop of Norwich. The college is often known informally as 'Tit Hall' by the students within the university.[2]

History

The devastation caused by the Black Death plague of the 1340s caused the loss of nearly half of the English population; Bishop Bateman himself lost nearly 700 of his parish priests, and so his decision to found a college was probably centred on a need to rebuild the priesthood. Thus in the foundation of 1350, Bateman stated that the college's aim was "the promotion of divine worship and of canon and civil science and direction of the commonwealth and especially of our church and diocese of Norwich." This led the college to be particularly strong in legal studies, a tradition that has continued over the centuries.[3]

At first all colleges in Cambridge were known as Halls or Houses (e.g., Pembroke College was called Pembroke Hall) and then later changed their names from Hall to College. However, when Henry VIII founded Trinity College, Cambridge next door, it became clear that Trinity Hall would continue being known as a Hall. This is also why it is incorrect to call it Trinity Hall College, although Trinity Hall college (lower case) is, strictly speaking, accurate. Interestingly a similar situation existed once before in the history of the University, when Henry VI founded King's College (in 1441) despite the existence of King's Hall (founded in 1317). King's Hall was later incorporated in the foundation of Trinity College in 1546.

Buildings

The Jerwood Library in Latham Court backs on to the River Cam next to Garret Hostel Bridge.
Trinity Hall, Cambridge University

The college site on the River Cam was originally obtained from the purchase of a house from John de Crauden to house the monks during their study, and the main court was built in the college's first few decades.

The chapel was licensed in 1352 and built in 1366, in the year that Pope Urban V granted the Master and Fellows permission to celebrate Mass in the college. In 1729, Sir Nathaniel Lloyd redecorated the chapel in what, despite subsequent enlargements, remains an intimate style, forming the smallest of the University's chapels. The painting in the chapel is Maso da San Friano's Salutation or Visitation, depicting Mary's visit to Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist.

Like the chapel, the Hall of the college was rebuilt by Sir Nathaniel Lloyd and enlarged in the 19th century. It also remains one of the smallest and most intimate halls in the University.

The college library was built in the late sixteenth century, probably during the mastership of Thomas Preston and is now principally used for the storage of manuscripts and rare books. The new Jerwood Library overlooking the river was opened by Lord Howe in 1999.

The college also owns properties in the centre of Cambridge, on Bateman Street and Thompson's Lane, and on its Wychfield Site next to Fitzwilliam College.

A panoramic view of Latham Lawn and the adjacent buildings

Academic profile

Historically, Trinity Hall was known for being strong in Law; today, it has strengths not only in Law but across a range of academic subjects across the sciences, arts and humanities. It also performs well at sport (e.g., rowing by its Boat Club) and has well-known musical and dramatic societies, in particular The Preston Society named after Thomas Preston, author of the play “Cambyses King of Persia”, originally published in 1584, the year before he became Master.

Gallery

People associated with Trinity Hall

Masters

The current Master is the Revd Jeremy Morris.[4] He took up the role on 1 October 2014 after Martin Daunton stepped down after ten years in post.[5]

Notable alumni

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Student numbers" (PDF). University of Cambridge website. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
  2. ↑ ""tit hall" - Google Search". google.co.uk.
  3. ↑ "Trinity Hall -". cam.ac.uk.
  4. ↑ "Trinity Hall - Master". Trinity Hall Cambridge. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  5. ↑ Martin Daunton

Bibliography

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Trinity Hall, Cambridge.

Coordinates: 52°12′21″N 0°06′56″E / 52.2057°N 0.1155°E