Cambridge (England) -- Pictorial works; University of Cambridge -- Pictorial works
[182] It has been suggested that Tudor architecture might be styled
Heraldic architecture, so freely does heraldry and blazonry enter into
its plan and the scheme of decoration. England’s two great specimens
of the Perpendicular--King’s College chapel and Henry VII.’s chapel
at Westminster--are pervaded by a “gorgeous display of heraldry.” The
west and south entrances of King’s are decorated with bold carvings of
the badges of Henry VII.--the crowned rose and portcullis. “No person
ever glanced his eye over the wonders around and above him, without
being awestruck at the daring of the architect that could plan, and
the builders that could erect such a structure. The whole of the
lower part of the Chapel beneath the windows is divided into panels,
and every panel is filled with the arms of the king who erected the
building.” “The immense pendants hanging from the gorgeous roof are
ornamented with the rose, the royal badge of both the king and queen
at this period.” (Clark’s _Introduction to Heraldry_, edited by J. R.
Planché, Rouge Croix.) The arms and supporters of Eton, Henry VI. and
VIII., Richard II., Edward IV. and VIth, Mary and Elizabeth, appear
also. The gateway towers of Christ’s and John’s afford other examples
of heraldic display as the exclusive scheme of decoration--they bear
the arms, supporters, and badges of their founder, the mother of Henry
VII. Finally the Entrance Gateway tower of Trinity exhibits the arms
of Edward III. and his six sons (William of Hatfield being represented
by a blank shield); above is a statue of Henry VIII. No street--no
town--in England presents anything like this “boast of heraldry” which
Gray had always under his eyes in Cambridge. It is a permanent record
of the two royal groups in England who preferred this university; the
gateway at Trinity being the _trait d’union_ between them.
[183] “The scholars of King’s enjoyed the questionable privilege of
drifting into their degrees without examination. Lectures and rare
compositions in Latin were the only demands upon their time,” writes
Lord Stratford de Redcliffe. The same arrangements obtained at New
College Oxford until 50 years ago.
[184] The “13 poor men” who are to form part of the foundation at
Eton are an addition of Henry’s own; they do not appear on Wykeham’s
foundation.
[185] For the Days, see v. p. 273 _n._ Wickham was vice-provost of
Eton.
[186] Somerset returned to Cambridge in later life, after he had
fallen into disgrace and poverty, and met, like Metcalfe of John’s,
with small gratitude. Dr. Philip Baker, though a Catholic, retained
the provostship under Elizabeth till 1570. For King’s men see also pp.
174-5, 272-3-4 _n._, 283.
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