Clare College:
A brief history
1326
University Hall is founded by Richard de Badew, Chancellor of the University. He surrenders his rights as patron to Lady Clare in 1338.
1346
The College changes its name to Clare Hall.
Lady Clare gives the College new statutes in 1359, before dying in 1360, leaving a considerable bequest to the College.
1392
The College acquires land in the shadow of the Castle Mound, a site which would later become Castle Court.
1418
Earliest date for the construction of the first College buildings on the present Old Court site.
Construction of first College library (1420) and College chapel (1428) follow shortly after.
1521
A devastating fire destroys most of the College buildings.
1555
Hugh Latimer (1510) is martyred in Oxford.
1638
Construction of new buildings (Old Court) and Clare Bridge begins.
The English Civil War (1642-51) puts the construction on hold until 1662.
1683
Building of the North Range begins, finishing in 1690.
In 1691, John Tillotson (1647) becomes Archbishop of Canterbury.
Old Court is completed in 1715.
1754
Thomas Pelham-Holles (1709) becomes Prime Minister
After the demolition of the old chapel in 1763, dedication of the new College Chapel by the Bishop of London takes place in 1769.
Charles Cornwallis (1755) surrenders to George Washington at Yorktown in 1781.
1831
Clare College Boat Club is founded.
1856
Edward Atkinson becomes Master, serving until 1915.
The College changes its name from Clare Hall to Clare College.
1866
The College’s first choir is founded.
1910
Stained glass windows installed in the Hall.
1924
Memorial Court is opened.
1926
Castlebrae is converted into student lodgings. Braeside and Etheldreda are added, followed by Castle End and Castle House in the 1950s and 1980s.
1947
The Fellows’ Garden is laid out in its current form.
In 1954, Thirkill Court is opened.
1971
Clare appoints its first female Fellow, before becoming one of the first co-educational colleges in 1972.
1986
Opening of the Forbes Mellon Library in Memorial Court.
2008
Opening of Lerner Court.
2019
Restoration of Old Court begins.
The COVID-19 pandemic begins in 2020.
2021
Clare appoints its first female Master, Loretta Minghella OBE.
2023
Opening of the River Room.
2024
Centenary of the opening of Memorial Court, commemorated with a replicated Remembrance Sunday procession on the Avenue.
2026
Old Court Project is completed as Clare celebrates its 700th Anniversary.
Built with Shorthand