Cambridge - View from the South in 1809
The city has its origins as a settlement in pre-historic times and was known as Grantabridge after the River Granta which flows through the city. In Norman times the castle, the Round Church and St. Benet’s Church were in existence but it was the arrival of scholars from Oxford in 1209 to set up a University that changed its history. The colleges have been built from the 13th century to this day and the picture shows the more prominent features of early in the 19th century. The view looks north from the intersection of Trumpington Road and Brooklands Avenue, as evidenced by the position of the milestone at the left side of the image. At that time, the space now occupied by the Botanic Gardens and the streets between Lensfield Road and Bateman Street were open fields, so there is a clear view to the new buildings of Downing College at the right. The water channel to the right of the road is Hobson’s Conduit, which brought drinking water to the centre of Cambridge; the scheme, in 1610 was partially funded by Thomas Hobson, carrier (whose practice of supplying only the next horse in line to anyone who wanted to rent one, gave rise to the expression ‘Hobson’s choice’ – no choice). The pinnacles of Kings College Chapel are visible on the skyline at left. The picture was drawn by R B Harraden Jnr and etched by Letitia Byrne
Size: 8012px × 5621px
Location: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England
Photo credit: © Cameni Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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