2. Sidney Sussex College

So, here goes part number two of my "better know a college" series.  I've started to think that 31 colleges is a little too ambitious for one year, but I'll do the best I can.

Fist, some background on Sidney Sussex:

It was chartered in 1594, with the bequest of Lady Frances Sidney (whose portrait hangs in the hall).  It's a beautiful little college in the center of town (I've heard it called the "Sainsbury's College" since it's across the street from the supermarket).  From the outside you can barely tell there is a college there, but it is really nice inside.

Here's a picture of the Sidney crest.  I wish I had some pictures of the college, but, sadly, formals are at night, and my camera does not do well in low lighting...

The most famous undergraduate to ever attend Sidney has to be Oliver Cromwell.  However, he was only a student there for one year, because he had to go back home to support his family after his father died.  After the Restoration of the monarchy, his body was exhumed and dismembered, and his head was eventually presented to the College and buried in the chapel.  Apparently there are portraits of him in the hall, but I guess I missed them.

This was the first time I went to Hall anywhere besides Churchill, and it was really nice to get to see how another College works.  This was also a Halloween formal, so I got to wear my costume again! This wasn't a normal formal swap, but an event organized by a Gates student at Sidney, so we even got to sit at high table, which was pretty cool.  Anyways, it was lovely to get to visit another college, although I was pretty envious of the gorgeous architecture and pretty little hall (WAY smaller than ours here).  Here are some pictures:

Pre-dinner drinks.  Yes, I was Holly Golightly again...

The inside of the Hall, decorated for Halloween.

This was the menu from the dinner (which, I'll admit, I took, because it was that cool).  On the back, it has a Sideny Sussex themed parable.  Also, the picture on the front is of Lady Sidney.

After the event, I had my first experience cycling home in heels.  It wasn't too bad (and is a very "Cambridge" thing to do), but I'm not aching to try it again... even though I probably will have to (slash, did since writing this on Tuesday) when I go to Peterhouse.