Peterhouse, The Buildings Surrounding First Court, Old Court And Gisborne Court

Peterhouse: The Buildings Surrounding First Court, Old Court and Gisborne Court

Peterhouse comprises a complex of college buildings centered on three interconnected courts, spanning from the medieval period to the early 19th century.

First Court

The Chapel was built between 1628 and 1632 by mason George Thompson. It was faced with ashlar in 1665. The detailing combines Gothic, Jacobean, and Classical elements, with Classical motifs possibly added in the 18th century. The interior is lined with 18th-century bolection moulded panelling. The roof was repaired in 1735 and the interior restored in 1821–22.

The Chapel contains an oak door dated 1632 and contemporary stalls. Fittings include 18th-century communion rails and an early 18th-century marble floor. The East window contains 17th-century Flemish glass. The organ dates from 1765 and was made by Johann Schnetzler.

Arcaded walls flank the Chapel on both sides. The Northern arcade dates from 1709 and the Southern arcade from 1711. Both feature round-headed arches with keystones and attached Roman Doric columns. The upper storey is ashlar faced and contains galleries.

North Range (Burrough's Building) was constructed between 1738 and 1742 by James Burrough. It is three storeys high with cellars, built in brick with Ketton stone facing. The front is seven bays with a central doorway and three sash windows with glazing bars on either side. A Venetian window faces the street. The interior retains many original fittings including the staircase, doorways, fireplaces, and moulded panelling.

Old Court

The South Range contains the Hall, the oldest part of the existing buildings, built circa 1290. The Hall is five bays wide, with windows altered in the mid-15th century. The north wall was refaced in 1755. Gilbert Scott completely restored the entire building in 1879. The interior has one original doorway and a fireplace dated 1501. The roof and bay windows are Scott's work. The decoration of the interior is a significant example of William Morris's work, particularly the tiling around the fireplace and the glass in the bay window.

The Kitchen and Buttery are attached to the Hall and retain 15th-century features including doorways, windows, and a staircase. The East end of the South Range comprises sections built circa 1460, circa 1590, and 1633. The north front was faced with ashlar in 1870 except for the 1633 portion, which remains red brick. The interior contains three main rooms.

The Combination Room dates from 1460 and was refitted between 1868 and 1870 by William Morris, then altered in 1946. It contains glass by Ford Madox Brown and Edward Burne-Jones.

The Perne Library dates from circa 1590 and 1633 and includes a late 16th-century staircase. It contains contemporary stone fireplaces and substantial 17th- and 18th-century woodwork, notably a fine main bookcase dated 1641–48 made by William Ashley.

West Range dates from the 15th century and was refaced in ashlar on the East in 1754 and on the West in Gothic style in 1826 as part of Gisborne Court. It is two storeys high with an attic, and contains 15th-, 16th-, and 18th-century windows. The interior features panelling from all centuries, with notable 16th-century panelling in the old Library.

North Range dates from the 15th century and was refaced in ashlar on its south front in the 18th century. The north front is of marble and red brick. External features date from the 15th and 18th centuries. The interior contains 16th-, 17th-, and 18th-century panelling and other features from each period.

Gisborne Court was built in 1825–26 in Tudor-Gothic style by W. McI. Brooks. It comprises North and South ranges, with the West range of Old Court refaced to match. The west side is open. The East Range contains several sham features to preserve symmetry. The interiors of the North and South ranges contain contemporary features of plain design.