2012 Annual Report - Jesus College - University of Cambridge

Reconstruction of The Priory of
St Mary and St Radegund
This drawing was commissioned by the College Council at the suggestion of the
Revd. Dr John Hughes in June 2011. It is the product of a week’s visit to Jesus in
November of that year by Richard W. Parker, during which time research in the
College Library and Archives, site survey and observation and discussions with
interested parties were utilised to interpret the development of the buildings and
produce a rough sketch drawing for comments. The sketch was then worked up
into a finished pen-and-ink drawing during the spring of 2012.
This reconstruction of St Radegund’s Priory is designed to show clearly those
parts of the medieval complex about which the College has knowledge and to
suggest the possible layout of lost buildings. The view is fom the south east, with
the priory church in the foreground and First Court in the middle background.
The view shows the priory in the 15th century, during a period of increasing
poverty and dilapidation which ended in 1496 with the dissolution of the nunnery
and the foundation of Jesus College.
Richard Parker is a professional archaeologist, research and writer,
based in Exeter. After completing a degree in the History of Art at the
University of East Anglia, he worked for Exeter Museums Archaeological Field
Unit (later Exeter Archaeology) as an historic buildings specialist, producing a
range of historic buildings surveys and reconstruction drawings for both public
and private clients. Since 2010 he has operated freelance as an archaeological
consultant, working to support postgraduate research on the subject of
19th-century church furnishings in Devon.
If you wish to purchase one of these limited edition prints,
please send a cheque for £12.50 (including postage & packing)
made payable to Jesus College Cambridge
to The Development Office, Jesus College, Cambridge CB5 8BL