Monument record 1679/4 - Chichele College

The remains of Chichele College, the college of Higham Ferrers, which was founded in 1422 by Henry Chichele, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1414 to 1443. The college was surrendered to Henry VIII in 1542 and parts of the south and east ranges were adapted to form a smaller building which in the 18th century served as an inn; by the early 20th century it was reduced to a single farm cottage with attached granary. The remains include a series of standing structures and exposed building foundations, representing four ranges around a quadrangular courtyard. In the south east corner of the monument is the roofed remains of the college's south range which includes the college chapel and accommodation block. The chapel was remodelled in the post-medieval period and from the early 20th century was partially used as a farm cottage. To the north and west of the present building is an area of exposed building foundations and stone walls including the remains of the western part of the south range and other college buildings. The remains of the east range include exposed building foundations and, incorporated into the perimeter wall which runs along the street frontage, the standing remains of the east wall. This wall includes the principal entrance gateway of the college. In the north eastern corner of the monument, directly abutting the remains of the east range's east wall, is a stone wall with a wide blocked opening. This wall represents the remains of a stone barn which was built in the late 18th to early 19th century overlying parts of the north and east ranges. The standing north and east walls of the barn are incorporated in the perimeter walls which bounds the monument on the east, north, west and south sides. Further remains include a level, grassed area on the western edge of the monument which represents the college garden laid out in 1425. The site is in the care of English Heritage.

{7} Copy of 1591 map plotted onto 173?.

{8} The medieval religious standing structure of Chichele College forms a quadrangle 45ft square. The east wall of the east range survives to full height with an entrance gateway.

{9} {1} Henry Chicheley (1364-1443), Archbishop of Canterbury, established a bedehouse in this, his native town. Upon an older C14th foundation, Chicheley instituated his bede-house in 1425, attatching to it a collegiate school. This high ecclesiastic, though he did not keep his hands from falling heavily upon the Lollards, must be credited with a genuine respect for learning. Besides Higham Ferrers, he founded St. Bernard's (since dissolved) and All Soul', Oxford. Croydon was one of the country manors of the See, and the noble western tower of the parish chirch is of Chicheley's building. He is the Archbishop of Canterbury of Shakespeare's Henry V, who is represented as encouraging the King's invasion of France, though there appears to be no contemorary evidence of Chicheley's part in that schene. The hall at Higham Ferrers has an open roof springing from oaken corbels and a large original fireplace on its south side, while an arch divides it from the chapel at the eastern end. This is thus an example of the infirmary type. The twelve bedesmen were directed by Chicheley's statutes to stand, each at his cubicle door, and join in evensong. The number of thirteen was completed by a woman who acted as matron with minutely defined duties. This house of pity still exists.

{10} Former College c.1422. Originally quadrangle plan, South and parts of north, east and west ranges remain. Originally two storeys. Right range was the gateway into the quadrangle, the south range had a full-height chamber known as the chapel.The College was founded by Archbishop Henry Chicele and was dedicated to the blessed Virgin Mary, St. Thomas of Canterbury, and St. Edward the Confessor. It provided for 8 secular canons, 8 clerks and 6 choristers. It was dissolved in 1542. Chichele cCollege is a scheduled ancient monument and is under the guardianship of H.B.M.C.E.

{12} Henry Chicheley, Archbishop of Canterbury, was son of Thomas Chicheley, a merchant and burgess of Higham. Thomas had been mayor in 1381-3 and held land, the Crofts and two houses in Higham, one in Newlands and the other in the market place. Henry was educated at Winchester and rose to become Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1422 he endowed and built the College in Higham, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, St Thomas of Canterbury and St Edward the Confessor. He endowed the College with income from the manor of West Mersea as well as with property in Higham itself. The College was for 8 secular canons and chaplains, including one master, 4 clerks, one being a grammar master and another a music master, and six choristers. The warden of the College was also vicar of the parish church and one of the clerks served as schoolmaster. At the dissolution, the College lands, including the advowson, were granted to Robert Dacre, reserving only £10 per annum for the schoolmaster. However, the College buildings themselves remained in the crown manor until 1564. It is clear from the historical topography of the town that the College was created out of several tenements, and specific reference is made to 27/11d of burgage rent and 6/1.5d of free rent remitted when tenements were demolished to build the College.

{14} Documentary references to the medieval Chichele College, founded in 1422 by Henry Chichelle, Archbishop of Canterbury. Was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, St. Thomas of Canterbury and St. Edward The Confessor. Also an associated Bede House RN:9668010.

{15} The Chichele College. In 1422 Henry Chichelle Archbishop of Canterbury, founded the College of Higham Ferrers. It was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, St. Thomas of Canterbury and St. Edward the Confessor. A bede-house (see SP 96 NE/3) was associated with the foundation. The college buildings stood round a quadrangle about 45 ft. square. The east wall of the east range stands to its full height and contains the entrance gateway. Much of the south or chapel range also survives, though altered and partly reconstructed, and retains indications of a large east window. The Hall appears to have occupied all or most of the west range and the kitchens to have been at the north-west angle. The north and west ranges, though not now visible, have foundations recoverable by excavation.

{23} [Former list description] Remains of College. Grade I. A 15C. Foundation of William Chichele, Archbishop of Canterbury, in 1425. Only fragments of the mediaeval work remain, but these are good and important and fairly extensive. A large rectangular building with gable end to street; has a 2-storey cottage made out of one end. This has a N. elevation containing 3 15C. Windows; and a door with rectangular labels. The front elevation has 19C. Windows and door. The gable end to street has a stone coping, and an upper traceried window with an ornamental label, between two grotesque corbels. A moulded string course below. To the N. this elevation has 2 rectangular traceried windows of 2 and 3 lights in the 2nd storey, and on the ground floor a single-light window and arched entrance door with a rectangular label, surmounted by three canopied niches cutting into the upper window.

Barn adjoining remains of College on North. Grade II. This wall is a façade only, and is roofed with pantiles. Small plinth it is adjoined by a large rectangular barn of late 18C. Date, with pantile roof.

{25} Brief accessible account of Chichele College's orgins and remains for visitors. Henry Chichele, born about 1362, was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1414-1443 and was originally a native of Higham Ferrers. The source explains the term "college" in this context to mean a community of priests living a less tightly controlled life than a full monastic community.

{26} The standing exposed ruined foundation remains of Chicele College, described above (Source 1-10) are visible on aerial photographs. As they have been previously well documented they were not mapped as part of the Bedford Borough NMP project.

{27} Chichele College - as described by authority {15}.
The grounds and buildings are being restored by the M.O.W.
GP AO 62/53/6 NW aspect
GP AO 62/53/7 NE aspect

{28} No change.

{29} Pevsner notes that the college founded in 1422 by Chicele was for a Master, 7 chaplains, 4 clerks and six choristers. Two of the chaplains or clerks were to teach Latin and singing. He notes that a new Bede House and school were refounded in conjunction with the college - there were existing ones here since the 14th century. Pevsner gives a brief decription of the standing remains

<1> THOMPSON M.W., 1967, A Contraction in Plan at Archbishop Chichele's College in Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire, p.255-57 (unchecked) (Report). SNN55926.

<2> Buck S.; Buck N., 1729, The East View of Higham Ferrers College, In The County of Northampton, (unchecked) (Print). SNN54617.

<3> 1442, Visitations of Religious Houses II: 1436-49, p.135-39 (unchecked) (Chapter). SNN55930.

<4> , 1850, Print of 1850, (unchecked) (Print). SNN55934.

<5> 1955, Restoration Works in Progress, (unchecked) (Photographs). SNN54618.

<6> Haley Sharpe, 1987, Chichele College architects plans, (unchecked) (Drawing). SNN57983.

<7> Norden?, 1591, Higham Ferrers, (unchecked) (Map). SNN54616.

<8> FOARD G.R., Oral Report to SMR, (checked) (Oral Report). SNN50833.

<9> Hobson J.M., 1926, Some Early and Later Houses of Pity, p.31-2 (unchecked) (Extract). SNN104798.

<10> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, p.18 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN45409.

<12> Foard G.; Ballinger J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Higham Ferrers (Medieval - Industrial), (checked) (Digital archive). SNN100543.

<13> Accounts Roll, Chichele College, (checked) (Document). SNN57419.

<14> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP96NE2 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<15> 1953, The Archaeological Journal (110), p.193 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN59424.

<16> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.265 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100370.

<17> BARTY-KING H., 1751, Untitled Source, 14 (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN55464.

<18> SHAW R., 1989, Supplementary File, (unchecked) (Photographs). SNN52010.

<19> Crank, N. (Editor), 2019, South Midlands Archaeology (49), p. 66 (Journal). SNN111755.

<20> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date), OS 25" 1926 (Map). SNN112944.

<21> Ministry of Works, Ancient Monuments in England and Wales, 1961, p. 70 (Report). SNN60094.

<22> Scheduled Monument Notification, 01-Jul-96 (Note). SNN113001.

<23> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, Higham Ferrers, APR-1948 (Report). SNN112993.

<24> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, East Northamptonshire, 17-JUN-1987; vol. 1740, p. 18-20 (Report). SNN112993.

<25> English Heritage, 2006, Heritage Unlocked: Guide to free sites in the Midlands, p. 34-35 (Guide). SNN113002.

<26> Oblique Aerial Photograph, NMR 27938/13 04-MAR-2014 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN111738.

<27> Field Investigators Comments, F1 23/05/1962 (Note). SNN111325.

<28> Field Investigators Comments, F2 16/07/1970 (Note). SNN111325.

<29> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p. 254, 258, 259 (Series). SNN1320.

<30> Historic England, Undated, Chichele College, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire, FL00814 (Archive). SNN113003.

<31> Historic England, Undated, Chichele College, Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire, PF/CHC (Archive). SNN113004.

Record last edited

Jan 17 2024 3:17PM