CAMBRIDGE
HISTORY |
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Settlements have existed around the area since before the Roman Empire. The
earliest clear evidence of occupation, a collection of hunting weapons, is
from the Late Bronze Age, starting around 1000 BC. There is further
archaeological evidence through the Iron Age, a Belgic tribe having settled
on Castle Hill in the 1st century BC.
The first major development of the area began with the Roman invasion of
Britain in about AD 40. Castle Hill made Cambridge a useful place for a
military outpost from which to defend the River Cam. It was also the
crossing point for the Via Devana which linked Colchester in Essex with the
garrisons at Lincoln and the north. This Roman settlement may have been
called Durolipons. |
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The settlement remained a regional centre during the 350 years after the
Roman occupation, until about AD 400. Roman roads and walled enclosures can
still be seen in the area.
After the Romans had left, Saxons took over the land on and around Castle
Hill. Their grave goods have been found in the area. During Anglo-Saxon
times Cambridge benefitted from good trade links across the otherwise hard-to-travel
fenlands. By the 7th century, however, visitors from nearby Ely reported
that Cambridge had declined severely. Cambridge is mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon
Chronicle as Grantebrycge. This is the earliest known reference to a bridge
at Cambridge.
The arrival of the Vikings in Cambridge was recorded in the Anglo-Saxon
Chronicle in 875. Viking rule, the Danelaw, had been imposed by 878. The
Vikings' vigorous trading habits caused Cambridge to grow rapidly. During
this period the centre of the town shifted from Castle Hill on the left bank
of the river to the area now known as the Quayside on the right bank. After
the end of the Viking period the Saxons enjoyed a brief return to power,
building St. Benet's church in 1025. It still stands in Bene't Street.
Two years after his conquest of England, William of Normandy built a castle
on Castle Hill. Like the rest of the new kingdom, Cambridge fell under the
control of the King and his deputies. The distinctive Round Church dates
from this period. By Norman times the name of the town had mutated to
Grentabrige or Cantebrigge, while the river that flowed through it was
called the Granta. Over time the name of the town changed to Cambridge,
while the river Cam was still known as the Granta - indeed the river is
still often known as the Granta to this day. It was only later that the
river became known as the Cam, by analogy with the name Cambridge. The
University use a pseudo-Latin adjective cantabrigiensis (often contracted to
"Cantab") to mean "of Cambridge", but this is obviously a back-formation
from the English name.
One of the first educational establishments in Cambridge was the School of
Pythagoras, founded in 1200, whose building still stands in the grounds of
St. John's College, Cambridge.
Beginnings of the University
In 1209, students escaping from violence in Oxford fled to Cambridge and
formed a University here. The first college, Peterhouse, was founded in
1284. One of the most impressive buildings in Cambridge, King's College
Chapel, was begun in 1446 by King Henry IV. The project was completed in
1515 during the reign of King Henry VIII.
Cambridge University Press originated with a printing licence issued in
1534. Hobson's Conduit, the first project to bring clean drinking water to
the town centre, was built in 1610. Parts of it survive today. Addenbrooke's
Hospital was founded in 1719. The railway and station were built in 1845.
According to legend, the University dictated their location: well away from
the centre of town, so that the possibility of quick access to London would
not distract students from their work.
Despite having a University, Cambridge was not granted its city charter
until 1951. Cambridge does not have a cathedral, which was traditionally a
pre-requisite for city status. |
