Trinity Hall, Cambridge

Trinity Hall (formally The College or Hall of the Holy Trinity in the University of Cambridge) is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge.

Not to be confused with Trinity College, Cambridge.

Trinity Hall
University of Cambridge
Trinity Hall's Front Court
Arms of Trinity Hall
Arms: Sable, a crescent ermine a bordure (engrailed) of the last[1]
LocationTrinity Lane (map)
Coordinates52.2057°N 0.1157°E / 52.2057; 0.1157 (Trinity Hall)
Full nameThe College or Hall of the Holy Trinity in the University of Cambridge
AbbreviationTH[2]
FounderWilliam Bateman, Bishop of Norwich
Established1350 (1350)
Named afterThe Holy Trinity
Sister colleges
MasterJeremy Morris
Undergraduates382[lower-alpha 1]
Postgraduates230[lower-alpha 1]
Fellows65[lower-alpha 2]
Endowment£286.67m
Websitewww.trinhall.cam.ac.uk
JCRwww.jcr.trinhall.cam.ac.uk
MCRwww.mcr.trinhall.cam.ac.uk
Boat clubwww.trinhall.cam.ac.uk/boatclub
Map
Location in Central Cambridge
Location in Cambridge

It is the fifth-oldest surviving college of the university, having been founded in 1350 by William Bateman, Bishop of Norwich, to train clergymen in Canon law following their decimation during the Black Death.

Historically, Trinity Hall taught law; today, it teaches the sciences, arts, and humanities.

Perhaps uniquely, Trinity Hall has two sister colleges at the University of Oxford, All Souls and University College.

Notable alumni include theoretical physicists Stephen Hawking and Nobel Prize winner David Thouless, Australian Prime Minister Stanley Bruce, Canadian Governor General David Johnston, philosopher Marshall McLuhan, Conservative cabinet minister Geoffrey Howe, Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham, writer J. B. Priestley, and Academy Award-winning actress Rachel Weisz.

History

The devastation caused by the Black Death plague of the 1340s included the loss of nearly half of the English population; Bishop Bateman himself lost nearly 700 of his parish priests, and so his decision to found a college was probably centred on a need to rebuild the priesthood. The site that Bateman chose was the original site of Gonville Hall, which had been founded three years earlier, but was financially struggling. Bateman's clerical aim for the Hall is reflected in the foundation of 1350, when he stated that the college's aim was "the promotion of divine worship and of canon and civil science and direction of the commonwealth and especially of our church and diocese of Norwich." This led the college to be particularly strong in legal studies, a tradition that has continued over the centuries.[4]

At first all colleges in Cambridge were known as "Halls" or "Houses" and then later changed their names from "Hall" to "College". However, when Henry VIII founded Trinity College, Cambridge next door, it became clear that Trinity Hall would continue being known as a Hall. The new foundation's name may have been a punishment for the college's master, Stephen Gardiner, who had opposed the king's remarriage and had endured much of the college's land being removed. It is incorrect to call it Trinity Hall College, although Trinity Hall college (lower case) is, strictly speaking, accurate. A similar situation had existed once before when Henry VI founded King's College (in 1441) despite the existence of King's Hall (founded in 1317). King's Hall was later incorporated in the foundation of Trinity College in 1546.

Trinity Hall, in addition to having a chapel, also had joint usage of the Church of St John Zacharias with Clare Hall, until the church was demolished to enable the construction of King's in the 15th century. After this, the college was granted usage of the nearby Church of St Edward, King and Martyr on Peas Hill, a connection which remains to this day.

Recent Events

In 2019 and 2020, the College experienced controversy and placed in international headlines due to a series of sexual misconduct scandals involving Dr William O’Reilly, the former Acting Senior Tutor, and Dr Peter Hutchinson, a former fellow.

In 2015, ten students submitted formal complaints of verbal sexual harassment by Dr Hutchinson. In response Dr Hutchinson was asked to withdraw permanently from further teaching and from attending social events at which students might be present.[5] However, due to an alleged error by the College in 2017, Dr Hutchinson was invited to a college event, which was also open to students. His attendance was in breach of the prior agreement and resulted in an outcry among students and alumni.

Subsequently, in 2019, a formal agreement as to what events Dr Hutchinson could attend was approved by the Governing Body. Despite this, he was allowed to remain an Emeritus Fellow of the College. This resulted in further backlash from students and alumni as well as more widespread coverage. Human rights barrister Dr Charlotte Proudman stated "The College has given fellows a licence to abuse their power with impunity. Women students are not safe in their own colleges.",[6] while The Guardian called it "a gross betrayal to the students" and "a dangerous environment for women students to study".[7] The matter was highly divisive both to the student body, and to the fellows. It was reported in November 2019 that Dr Hutchinson had elected to resign as a result of the controversy.[8]

In February 2020, a Tortoise Media investigation alleged that Dr O’Reilly seriously mishandled a disciplinary process involving three women’s experience of sexual assault by a student he had a “close relationship” with.[9] The article said that amongst other things, Dr O’Reilly himself had given witness testimony on behalf of the student at the disciplinary hearings into the assaults.

The same investigation also claimed that a fourth student had complained to Dr Morris, the Master, that they had been sexually assaulted by Dr O’Reilly, an allegation Dr O’Reilly denied.[9] The article reported that Dr Morris allowed Dr O’Reilly to continue teaching un-investigated for a further five months until he was eventually investigated by police, during which time he was permitted to continue overseeing the disciplinary process involving the student with whom he was close. Tortoise alleged that as of the date of publication, no formal investigation had been made into this complaint, and no safeguarding measures had been put in place.

Trinity Hall did not deny the allegations made in the Tortoise article. In February 2020, Dr Morris, and Dr O’Reilly agreed to “step back” from their roles in college pending investigation.[10] In March 2020, the Governing Body authorised an immediate external inquiry into the College’s handling of all allegations raised and matters referred to in the Tortoise article, to be led by Gemma White QC.[11]

Buildings
Front court
The Jerwood Library in Latham Court backs on to the River Cam next to Garret Hostel Bridge

The College site on the Cam was originally obtained from Bateman's purchase of a house from John de Crauden, Prior of Ely, to house the monks during their study, with Front Court being built within the college's first few decades. The medieval structures remain unaltered, but with their façade altered to a more baroque style during the Mastership of Sir Nathaniel Lloyd in 1710-45.[12]

Chapel

The Chapel was licensed in 1352 and was built by August 1366, when Pope Urban V granted the College permission to celebrate eucharist there. Its present decor stems from its 1729-1730 renovation; Lloyd had pre-existing graves removed to the Ante-Chapel, and the walls decorated with wainscoting and the ceiling with past Masters' crests. The Chapel was extended east in 1864, during which the original piscina was discovered and hidden behind a secret door. The painting behind the communion-table is Maso da San Friano's Salutation, loaned from the Fitzwilliam Museum in 1957, replacing an earlier painting by Stella.

Dining Hall

The Dining Hall was rebuilt under Lloyd along similar lines to the Chapel, with rendered walls replaced by wainscoting and medieval beams by baroque carvings. A large portrait of Lloyd dominates the wall behind High Table; Lloyd supposedly made it irremovable from its wainscot surroundings, such his representation can never be erased from the College.

Libraries

The college library was built in the late 16th century, with the permission of Elizabeth I and probably during the mastership of Thomas Preston, and is now principally used for the storage of the college's manuscripts and rare books; it is one of the few remaining chained libraries left in the country. The new Jerwood Library overlooking the river was opened by Lord Howe in 1999, and stores the college's modern book collection.

Other

The college also owns properties in the centre of Cambridge, on Bateman Street and Thompson's Lane, and on its Wychfield site next to Fitzwilliam College, where most of the college's sporting activity takes place.

Student Life

Combination Rooms

Trinity Hall has active Junior, Middle and Senior Combination Rooms for undergraduate, postgraduate and senior members of the college community respectively. The Middle Combination Room is located in Front Court, while the Junior Combination Room is adjacent to the college bar in North Court. Both the MCR and JCR have highly active committees and organize popular socials for their members across the term.

Trinity Hall Boat Club

Trinity Hall's oldest and largest society, the Boat Club was founded in 1827, and has had a long and distinguished history; notably from 1890 until 1898, when the college stayed Head of the Mays for 33 consecutive days of rowing, which remains to this day the longest continuous defence by a single club of the bumps headship. The college won all but one of the events in the 1887 Henley Royal Regatta, making it the most successful Cambridge college in Henley's history. The current boathouse, built in 1905 in memory of Henry Latham, is on the River Cam, a short walk from the college.

Trinity Hall Christian Union

Trinity Hall's Christian Union comprises several dozen Christians in the college who meet regularly to study the Bible, pray and enjoy fellowship together.[13] Its members seek to explain the Christian faith to the other members of College through a variety of inclusive events, notably regular "Text-a-Toastie" events.[14] The Christian Union was founded in 1877, making it the second oldest JCR-listed society, and is part of the broader Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Union.

A panoramic view of Latham Lawn and the adjacent buildings
  • Trinity Hall in 1690
  • The original entrance
  • The demolition of the original entrance
  • Front Court
  • Armorial Detail in Front Court
  • The Master's Garden
  • South Court
  • The Elizabethan Library
  • The Elizabethan Library
  • The Jerwood Library
  • Wychfield Site
  • College cricket ground
  • T.H.B.C. Club-House on the River Cam

People associated with Trinity Hall

Masters
Main article: List of Masters of Trinity Hall, Cambridge

The current Master is the Revd Dr Jeremy Morris.[15] He took up the role on 1 October 2014 after Martin Daunton stepped down after ten years in post.[16]

Deans

The current Dean is the Revd Dr Stephen Plant. The role of Dean incorporates that of Chaplain in other colleges.

Fellows
Further information: Category:Fellows of Trinity Hall, Cambridge and List of Honorary Fellows of Trinity Hall, Cambridge

Notable alumni

See also

Notes
  1. During the 2017-18 academic year.[3]
  2. As at 30 June 2018.[3]

References
  1. Arms of Trinity Hall, Cambridge, being the arms of Bateman, as used by William Bateman (d.1355), Bishop of Norwich 1344-55, founder of Trinity Hall: as seen (with bordure engrailed) at Trinity Hall, Cambridge (over B staircase), impaled by the arms of the See of Norwich.
  2. University of Cambridge (6 March 2019). "Notice by the Editor". Cambridge University Reporter. 149 (Special No 5): 1. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  3. Trinity Hall, Cambridge. "Accounts for the Year Ended 30 June 2018" (PDF). Retrieved 26 April 2019.
  4. "Trinity Hall -". cam.ac.uk.
  5. "Statement of clarification". Trinity Hall. 24 October 2019. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019.
  6. "Cambridge harassment row fuels calls to reform college system". The Guardian. 24 October 2019.
  7. "Cambridge isn't the only university to fail at handling sexual misconduct complaints". The Guardian. 24 October 2019.
  8. "Cambridge University academic resigns after Trinity Hall row". BBC. 6 November 2019.
  9. "A college with secrets". Tortoise. 18 February 2020.
  10. Chae, Howard (22 February 2020). "Trinity Hall Master and accused Fellow to stand down pending investigation". Varsity. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  11. "Statement from Trinity Hall". Trinity Hall. 12 March 2020.
  12. The Philips Nichols Scandal of 1731
  13. THCU JCR Page
  14. THCU CICCU Page
  15. "Trinity Hall - Master". Trinity Hall Cambridge. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  16. Martin Daunton Archived 2004-12-06 at the Wayback Machine

Bibliography
  • The Hidden Hall: Portrait of a Cambridge College, Peter Pagnamenta, ISBN 1-903942-31-4
  • Trinity Hall: The History of a Cambridge College, 1350-1975, Charles Crawley, ISBN 0-9505122-0-6
  • Warren's Book (Ed. 1911 by A.W.W.Dale)
  • Trinity Hall or, The college of scholars of the Holy Trinity of Norwich, in the University of Cambridge, Henry Elliot Malden. (1902). London: F.E. Robinson.
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