Cambridge – Cantebrigia, Opulentissimi Angliae Regni…

Cambridge commented by Braun (on verso)

“Up to the present day Cambridge has 19 student houses, in addition to which 14 colleges have been built with such grandeur and magnificence that you might think they were royal palaces and not accomodation for students. In short, although I have travelled in many countries and seen many cities, I must admit that I have hardly ever seen anything comparable to this town and these schools, for everything is in such perfect order that nothing better could be imagined.”

Taschen on Cambridge

The engraving shows Cambridge from a bird’s-eye perspective. In 1209 professors and students from Oxford founded the University of Cambridge, and in 1284 Hugh de Balsham, bishop of Ely, founded the first college, Peterhouse, which is visible on the far right of the engraving. Near the River Cam is one of the best known colleges in the city. King’s College, founded by King Henry VI in 1441. King’s College Chapel, completed in 1515, is an important example of Gothic architecture and one of the city’s chief landmarks. In the lower lefthand corner is the castle, seen from a low perspective. It was built by the Normans in 1068, two years after the coronation of William I as king of England. It was demolished in the 19th century to provide building materials for new colleges. (Taschen)

The view itself names Trinity College, Kinge’s College, Jesus College, Christ’s College, Bennett College, Queen’s College, St. John’s College, Penbroke Hall, Saint Giles, Magealen College, St. Pauls, St. Clemens, St. Johns, Bridge Wardt, Bridge Street, and many other landmarks.