Cambridge — St Radegund's Priory

St Radegund's Priory was a Benedictine nunnery situated in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England. Its establishment predates 1144, with evidence suggesting its founding in the late 1130s. The priory was dissolved in 1496, primarily through the efforts of John Alcock, the Bishop of Ely. The site and its existing structures were subsequently repurposed for the foundation of Jesus College, Cambridge, by Bishop Alcock.

History and Significance

The priory's dedication to St Mary and St Radegund is thought to be connected to Malcolm IV of Scotland's visit to Poitiers in 1159, a significant center for the cult of St Radegund. Malcolm IV, then Earl of Huntingdon, granted the nuns ten acres of land adjacent to Grenecroft (now Midsummer Common) for their church. Historically, the nunnery faced reputational challenges, with contemporary churchman John Bale dubbing it "Spiritualium meretricum cœnobium," a phrase suggesting licentiousness. Both King Henry VII and Pope Julius II ultimately consented to its dissolution.

Legacy at Jesus College

Upon its dissolution, St Radegund's Priory's buildings formed the foundation of Jesus College. These included the Chapel, the Cloister, the nuns' refectory (which became the College Hall), and the prioress's lodging (now the Master's Lodge). These conventual structures remain central to the college's architecture, contributing to its distinct monastic character. The Chapel, dating from the mid-12th century, stands as the oldest university building in Cambridge that is still in active use. Bishop Alcock also made modifications to the Chapel, reducing its scale, and a library was added shortly after the college's founding.