9. Christ's College

More formals!  Last week I was invited by a friend to a special formal at Christ's for Mardi Gras (or, as it's called here: Pancake Day).  I was already in a good mood, since our cafeteria at work made pancakes for Pancake Day, and this was like the cherry on top.

Christ's is another college that I'd never been to before I went to formal there.  It is in the busy center of town, which I realized when I found myself taking off my cycling pants (which I was wearing under my dress to stay warm on the cycle ride from Churchill) on a busy street corner!

I think I've mentioned Christ's before, as it was founded by the same person as John's: Lady Margaret Beaufort.  However, the college existed as the small college of God's-house since 1437, before it was given a royal charter.  It was originally designed as a teacher training college to replace the teachers killed in the black death.  When King's was established, God's-house was forced to move.  At this point, Bishop Fisher (chaplain to Lady Margaret), who was friends with the head of God's-house, persuaded her to establish it as a proper college, and it was granted a charter in 1505 on May 1.  The college flag continues to always be flown on that day.  The gatehouse has Lady Margaret's statue, holding a bible.  The symbols of the Tudor rose and the Beaufort portcullis are also everywhere, as are her coat of arms supported by the mythological yales (like at John's).

The hall at Christ's was restored in 1876.  It is lined with portraits, including one of John Milton, who came up in 1628, and Charles Darwin.  Apparently, Milton was a "pale an delicate young man," so other students nicknamed him "the lady of Christ's."

It was fun to visit Christ's.  It's a gorgeous college, and I'd like to go back during the day time!  The hall is quite small, which gives it a very intimate feel, and it was neat to be there during a themed hall.  There were Mardi Gras beads on all of the tables and people were dressed up for Carnival in masks and some times more elaborate costumes!

Here are some pictures of Christ's:

The yales above the gate.  The motto is the same as John's: souvent me souvient (remember me often)

Again with my crest-on-china obsession.  This time, the tutor rose...

And the Beaufort portcullis.

Best part of the dinner.  They had a separate chocolate plate after the desserts! Yum! Downside, there was only coffee, no tea

More yales!