

In the English Civil War the college was staunchly Royalist, and sent its plate to support the king. One Pembroke man who suffered in the war was Mathew Wren, Bishop of Ely. Wren was held in the Tower of London for 17 years, and he swore that if he were released he would build a chapel at his former college. When he did gain his freedom, Bishop Wren carried out his vow, choosing as his architect his own nephew, Christopher Wren. The Pembroke Chapel was Wren's first architectural commission, and the first chapel of Cambridge University to be built in the classical style. Wren's sucessful design set the fashion for classically-styled college chapels. Wren himself went on to design another chapel at Emmanuel College and the library at Trinity College.
The college was extended in the 17th century with the addition of two east residential ranges which together with the hall formed Ivy Court. Poet Thomas Grey was one of the first notable residents of Ivy Court,m and his original manuscript of Elegy is preserved in the college. William Pitt, soon to become England's youngest Prime Minister, inhabited Grey's rooms in 1773. A statue of Pitt stands outside the clock tower of the library.
The 1870s saw a great deal of rebuilding and remodeling at Pembroke, with the unfortunate loss of some medieval buildings. A new Hall was created, a new Library added to augment Wren's old one, and the chapel extended by George Gilbert Scott.
About Pembroke College
Address: Pembroke Street,
Cambridge,
Pembrokeshire,
Cambridgeshire,
England, CB2 1RF
Attraction Type: Historic Building
Website: Pembroke College
Location
map
OS: TL450 582
Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express
NEARBY HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS
Heritage Rated from 1- 5 (low to exceptional) on historic interest
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