COLLEGIUM SIVE DOMUS SIVE AULA DE CLARE.

This College was originally founded, A. D. 1326, by Richard Badew, at that time Chancellor of the University, who having purchased two houses situated in a street called Mylne-Street, from Nigel Thornton a physician, annexed them to the University under the name of University Hall. He appointed a Principal and several pensionary Scholars, but seems to have neglected the important step of providing them with funds for the maintenance of their College; for we find that they lived for twelve years at their own expense; when one of them being in favour with Elizabeth de Burgh, Countess of Clare, persuaded her to become a benefactor to his College, the building belonging to which had recently been destroyed by fire. This Lady on the resignation of Walter Thaxted, the Principal, with the consent of Richard Badew the original founder, having obtained a charter from Edward III., in the 12th year of that king's reign, A. D. 1338-9, entirely rebuilt the College, settled funds for the maintenance of its members, renovated its constitution and altered its former designation to that of Clare Hall. It is asserted by some that these benefits were conferred by Elizabeth, the daughter of the Duke of Gloucester in the 36th of Edward III., at which time the Aula was again consumed by fire, and she as well as many other patrons of learning contributed their aid to its re-establishment.