History

Trinity Hall was founded by Bishop Bateman of Norwich in 1350, making it the fifth oldest surviving College of the University of Cambridge.

Trinity Hall was founded by Bishop Bateman of Norwich in 1350, making it the fifth oldest surviving College of the University of Cambridge. Bishop Bateman originally founded the College to promote the study of canon and civil law, probably due to the shortage of clergyman and lawyers following the Black Death of 1349. To this day, the College maintains a very strong tradition in the study of Law.

The current site of the College originated from the purchase of a house from John de Crauden, Prior of Ely, for the use of his monks during their period of study in Cambridge in the early 14th century. The College has remained on this site for almost 700 years. The buildings of Front Court, including the Chapel, the Hall and the Master’s Lodge, date from the late 14th century. Although little evidence remains of their medieval origins, from North Court the medieval windows and arches which remain on the back wall provide a glimpse of how the College may have looked in the 15th century.

Buildings off-site: a history of Wychfield

There were no College buildings away from central site until the boathouse was built in 1905 in memory of Henry Latham. In 1923-4 a playing field was made between Huntingdon Rd and Storey’s Way on land partly owned by the College for at least 250yrs and partly bought from the trustees of Storey’s charity. A pavilion, groundsman’s house and squash courts were soon built on the site. Wychfield House and its grounds were bought in 1948 and six years later part of the house was converted into a residence initially for the retired Master, Professor Dean. The rest of the house was occupied from 1961 by ten undergraduates and a caretaker. The stables were converted into rooms for four postgraduates and two years later an extension named in memory of Professor Dean made room for more postgraduates. Adjacent to the old house is Boulton House, which was designed by Arup Associates and built in 1968. In 1972 the same architects designed a block of flats for twelve married postgraduates. This was named Herrick house in memory of the poet Robert Herrick (1591-1674, who studied law at Trinity Hall in 1617). In the early 1990s work started on two buildings for postgraduate students: Walter Christie and Lancelot Fleming House, both designed by MacCormac, Jamieson & Prichard. The sports pavilion was refurbished and extended in 2003/4 by Freeland Rees Roberts to provide two competition-standard squash courts, a fitness room and changing rooms. On 14th July 2007 the new accommodation at Wychfield was opened by Andrew Marr (TH 1977). Designed by R H Partnership and constructed by Amec, the new buildings provide 136 rooms and 11 flats in lanscaped gardens.

College Grace

Grace is recited at the majority of formal dinners in College. It is customary for the Dean to say Grace, or the Master in the Dean’s absence. If the Dean and the Master are absent, the most senior Fellow present says Grace.

Before dinner

Quicquid appositum est aut apponetur
Christus benedicere dignetur in nomine
Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti
Amen

Translation
Let Christ be deigned to bless everything that has been set before [us] or will be served up [to us] in the name of the Father and Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

After dinner

Benedicto benedicatur

Translation
May the Blessed One be blessed

Connect with Trinity Hall