Corpus Christi College, the City, and the Court in the Reign of Henry VIII

This chapter explores the living conditions in Corpus Christi College. At Corpus Christi, the private chambers were not regarded as living quarters but bed chambers since, on most days, from first light until after supper, all members of the community—whether engaged in scholarly, liturgical, or domestic activity—would have had little leisure to spend in their room. Chambers were, as the statutes stated, ‘places of quiet and sleep and places to retreat to after cares and labours‘. Part of the day of the members of the college would naturally be spent in the chapel, but on a working day the greater part of the liturgical burden would have been carried by members of the chapel establishment. Much of the rest of the day would have been spent in studying, teaching, or examining—depending on academic status—much of it taking place in hall, although certain members were required to attend lectures elsewhere.