Cobham College

Cobham - geograph.org.uk - 429739

Cobham College was a medieval college for priests in Cobham, Kent, England. It was founded in the 14th century by John de Cobham, 3rd Baron Cobham, a prominent figure in the region. The college was established to provide a place for priests to live and work, serving the local community and maintaining religious services.

History

Cobham College was founded in 1362 by John de Cobham, 3rd Baron Cobham. The college was intended to support a group of priests who would pray for the souls of the Cobham family and the local community. The college was endowed with lands and revenues to ensure its financial stability.

The college was dissolved in 1547 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII. The buildings and lands were sold off, and the college ceased to exist as a religious institution.

Architecture

The original buildings of Cobham College were constructed in the 14th century and included a chapel, a cloister, and residential quarters for the priests. The architecture was typical of the period, featuring Gothic elements such as pointed arches and ribbed vaults.

Some of the original structures have survived and are now part of the Cobham Hall estate. The chapel, in particular, remains a significant example of medieval ecclesiastical architecture.

Legacy

Although Cobham College no longer exists as a religious institution, its legacy continues through the surviving buildings and the historical records of its foundation and operation. The site is of interest to historians and archaeologists studying medieval religious institutions and their role in local communities.

Related Pages

• John de Cobham, 3rd Baron Cobham
• Cobham, Kent
• Dissolution of the Monasteries
• Gothic architecture
• Henry VIII of England
• Cobham Hall