Student wins University prize for outstanding Tripos result

Trinity Hall’s Rhiannon Warren has been awarded a prize that recognises the most outstanding results in any part of the Cambridge Tripos.

The Winifred Georgina Holgate-Pollard Memorial Prizes are given each year to students who have excelled.

Rhiannon, now a postgraduate at the College, was given the prize for her work in her final year undergraduate Tripos as part of her Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic (ASNaC) course.

Congratulating Rhiannon on the award Senior Tutor, Dr Michael Sutherland, said: “We are always delighted to celebrate the academic achievements of our Trinity Hall students. Rhiannon’s award honours her talent as a scholar together with the hard work she has put into her studies in the Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic Tripos. Congratulations Rhiannon.”

We spoke to the 21-year-old about her subject and her new studies and discovered along the way that she loves Pride and Prejudice (the Colin Firth one), Silly the cat and singing in the choir.

What is it about your subject (MPhil in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic – focusing on palaeography and codicology ) that you love?

It’s really hard to pick! The Medieval past is such a rich and varied and the ASNC department provides a really unique to study it in an interdisciplinary setting. While I am definitely a historian/ material culturist I also found the chance to learn Old Norse, Old English and (now) Latin and study literature such as the Icelandic sagas and Snorra Edda extremely enriching.

Being in a small department also means that you get to know everyone (undergraduates, postgraduates and lecturers) very well and make close friendships. ASNaCs are amazing: funny, open, intelligent, and really generous with their time! If you don’t understand something or need help there’s always someone around in the common room who will be happy to explain it to you. We also have a kitchenette with free tea and coffee (always a plus).

My favourite area of ASNC is definitely palaeography and codicology: the study of medieval manuscripts both physically and of their handwriting – allowing you to date and locate them geographically. I am fascinated by the development of book culture and how the codex was utilised as a technology through mise-en-page. Being at Cambridge meant I was often able to work hands-on with manuscripts in script history workshops and received training that has allowed me to conduct codicological research in manuscript libraries around the world!

What’s it like to have your hard work recognised with this prize?

It was such a lovely surprise to receive this award – and really the cherry on the top of an amazing undergraduate experience! I’d like to thank my Director of Studies/ Dissertation Supervisor/ (now) Supervisor, Erik Niblaeus for all of his encouragement and support. I ’ve absolutely loved my time at Trinity Hall so far and am very excited to be getting stuck into research, looking at Icelandic Liturgical Manuscript

What attracted you to Trinity Hall?

I knew I wanted a smaller college, and being a medievalist wanted to go to an older college. I visited several of my university open day, but Trinity Hall just felt ‘right’ when I walked in. I knew I could see myself living here.

I love how beautiful Trinity Hall is – particularly North Court when the cherry blossom is in bloom and the view across Latham Lawn. I love studying in the Jerwood Library, looking out across the Cam and (as a manuscript nerd) the fact that we have a chained-manuscript library.

How do you balance academic life with personal commitments?

During my undergraduate degree I tried to work a 9-5 during term, and while this was not always possible I think it was a good mindset to make sure that I was taking time to relax. Being part of the ASNaC society definitely helps – there’s an event almost every day of the week from Quire (our choir), welfare tea, football to pub-nights. My amazing partner, Oliver, was also a massive help – reminding me to take time off and put my worries into perspective.

Because I love ASNC so much most of the time my work did not feel like a chore, and I’d be excited to go to my lectures and supervisions. I think doing a degree you genuinely enjoy is so important.

Student wins University prize for outstanding Tripos result

Posted:

01 Nov 2023

What is it about your subject (MPhil in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic – focusing on palaeography and codicology ) that you love?

What’s it like to have your hard work recognised with this prize?

What is the best part of college life for you?

What attracted you to Trinity Hall?

What are your hobbies and interests outside of your studies?

What’s your favourite film/book/ cultural phenomenon?

How do you balance academic life with personal commitments?