St. John's College, Cambridge Pt.2

A brief look at St.John's College today

Not nearly as grand as King's but with it's own interests and beauty

Not as accessible to the public either

The entrance

There were a number of monastic houses in Cambridge in the early thirteenth century including a hospital of St. John which later became St. John's College. In 1280 Hugh de Balsham, Bishop of Ely, tried to introduce scholars into this foundation, but the monks and academics did not get on together so the latter moved down the road to found Cambridge's first true college, Peterhouse.

On the 9th April 1511 with the approval of the King, the Pope and the Bishop of Ely the Charter of the college of St. John the Evangelist was finally granted.

See the statue of St. John the Evangelist above the gate 

The first court with the hall behind

Exterior of the chapel

The stained glass windows show scenes from the life of Christ but we were not able to go in today

Statue of Wm. Willberforce

The Bridge of Sighs over the River Cam which connects the college courts and buildings

King's College Cambridge. Pt.1

For our first stroll around Cambridge here we will be visiting King's College. There are 31 colleges in all, the oldest being

Peterhouse 1284 and the newest Robinson 1974.

The young King Henry VI laid the foundation stone of 'The King's College of our Lady and St. Nicholas in Cambridge'

on Passion Sunday 1441. King's was one of his two 'royal and religious' foundations, the other being Eton College.

Tourists do not enter by the front gate (we did that some years ago as guests of one of the students)but make our way to the right and through the chapel first.

King's is the chapel from which one can enjoy the 9 lessons and carols at Christmas on TV.

It is worth noting that each college has it's own chapel and these Cambridge chapels are not some great cathedral but purely a chapel for the use of the students

King Henry went to great lengths to ensure that his college, and in particular it's chapel, would be without equal in magnificance in either Oxford or Cambridge.

 It took nearly a century to complete this chapel, and after Henry's murder in the Tower of London in 1471, the completion was made possible through the patronage of subsequent  kings

All the stained glass windows tell a story

Upper windows - Old Testament - Lower - New Testament

Alan about to enter through the portals of the dark oak screen which houses the organ and was a gift from Henry VIII, and bears his initials and those of Anne Boleyn, his Queen. This dates between 1533, when Henry married Anne and 1536, when he had her executed.

Choir stalls

There are even carvings underneath the seats

Looking back towards the brass lecturn surmounted by a small statue of Henry VI, a gift of Robert Hacomblen, Provost 1509-28.

Another gift to the college 'The Adoration of the Magi' painted by Rubens in 1634

I have a copy of this in my bedroom

and love it

There are many Lady chapels and memorials along the sides of the chapel

Centuries of wear to the step

Bronze plaque in the exhibition hall depicted St. George slaying the dragon 

Having left the chapel we are now in one of the courtyards looking towards the fountain surmounted by a statue of Henry VI, the 'boy king' above the symbolic figures of Religion and Learning.

A view onto the street outside

Chapel from outside

We are now walking through the grounds and down to the River Cam. A number of the colleges back on to this river

We have walked a lot today and are grateful for a short stop on this seat

and are now ready to make our way outside and look for a welcome cup of tea

Main chapel entrance on the inside of the grounds of course

Hope you enjoyed your tour

Do come back for several more 

Jamie Oliver's Italian Restaurant in Cambridge

Here we are in Jamie's Italian Restaurant in Cambridge. Time for a nice break in our day

You will note that a nice Cambridge building adds to the ambience

Reflection seen through one of the many wall mirrors

Not to mention the ceiling

You can watch your meal being prepared

We both chose

Free Range Oven Roasted Baby Poussin

on a bed of

Braised Castelluccio Lentils

all served in it's own juices

The chips we ordered as a side dish were the best I think I have tasted.Not only were they crunchy but they were

cooked with Garlic, Parmesan and Parsley

We had one of those friendly waiters who offered to take our photo - why not!

When eating lunch out we pass on dessert, preferring to save some room for afternoon tea

but the Peppermint tea was very welcome

Shall we take some freshly made bread and pasta home with us?

Not a good idea as we are a bus ride from the car park

Park and Ride is the only way to take your car to Cambridge

I liked the flavour of the ladies room too

Jamie is opening an Italian Restaurant in my daughter's city too so we will definitely be going again

Lots to post on Cambridge so do some back