Peterhouse 1284 (28 years) (68 years) (50 years) Michaelhouse 1324 King’s College 1441 Magdalene 1542 Clare 1326-38 Queens’ 1448 Trinity 1546 King’s Hall 1337 S. Catherine’s 1473 (Caius 1557) Pembroke 1347 Jesus 1495 Emmanuel 1584 Gonville Hall 1348 Christ’s 1505 Sidney Sussex 1595 Trinity Hall 1350 S. John’s 1509 Corpus Christi 1352 There were therefore 8 colleges in Cambridge by the middle of the xiv century; when the xvi century opened there were 14, and at its close 12 of the previous buildings remained and 4 new had been added. Downing College (built 1805) must be added to these, making at the present day a total of 17 colleges. * * * * * [Sidenote: Peterhouse.] Peterhouse was founded by Hugh de Balsham[100] for his Ely scholars whom he had in vain attempted to unite, with a separate endowment of their own, under the same roof as the canons of S. John’s Hospital.[101] In 1284 he removed the Ely clerks to two hostels by S. Peter’s church at the other end of the town, and at his death two years later left three hundred marks for the erection of a hall. This was built in 1290 on the south-west and formed with the scholars’ chambers the only collegiate building at Peterhouse till the close of the xiv century. Here then were the primitive elements of a college; the hostel or scholars’ lodging house to which was added a common meeting and dining room, or hall. The little parish church of S. Peter served for prayers and gave its name to the college. College chapels were not built till considerably later: the example first given by Pembroke College in the next century not being followed for another hundred years. The quadrangle was not begun till 1424. A combination room[102] opening out from the hall, and a library, were added along the south side. Over the former was the master’s room, over the latter the students’ quarters; and all looked upon the ancient lawn, the meadow with its elms beyond and, stretching to the right, with its water gate, Coe fen. Ye brown, o’er-arching groves, That contemplation loves, Where willowy Camus lingers with delight! Oft at the blush of dawn I trod your level lawn * * * * * With Freedom by my side, and soft-eyed Melancholy.[103] [Illustration: PETERHOUSE FROM THE STREET The Tower of the Congregational Church in the distance.]