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Edmund Gonville
Died1351
Known forFounder of Gonville Hall, Cambridge
ParentWilliam de Gonvile
The 1348 foundation charter of Gonville Hall

Edmund Gonville (died 1351) was an English priest who founded Gonville Hall at the University of Cambridge in 1348, which later was re-founded by John Caius to become Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. Gonville Hall was his third foundation. Before this he had founded two religious houses, Rushworth College at Rushford, Norfolk, 1342 (suppressed in 1541) and the Hospital of St John at Bishop's Lynn, Norfolk. [1] The origin of his wealth is obscure.

His father was William Gonville, a Frenchman domiciled in England, who owned the Manor of Lerling and other property in Norfolk. William's eldest son was Sir Nicholas Gonville who married an heiress of the Lerling family. [2]

Gonville worked for King Edward III of England, including lending him money. In return he was rewarded with appointment as King's clerk (a title later known as Secretary of State). [3] After Gonville, supported by Sir Walter Manny, petitioned Edward III for permission to set up a college for 20 scholars at the University of Cambridge, permission was granted and Edward III issued Letters patent in January 1348. [3]

Offices held

Religious titles
Preceded by
unknown
Rector of Thelnetham, Suffolk
1320-1326
Succeeded by
unknown
Preceded by
unknown
Rector of Rushford, Norfolk
1326-1342
Succeeded by
unknown
Preceded by
unknown
Rector of Terrington St Clement, Norfolk
1342-1351
Succeeded by
unknown

References

Notes
  1. ^ "Gonville, Edmund (GNVL320E)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  2. ^ 'The colleges and halls: Gonville and Caius', A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Volume 3: The City and University of Cambridge. (1959), pp. 356-362. British History Online.
  3. ^ a b Edmund Gonville (Founder of Gonville Hall, Cambridge, 1348) Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, www.alchemipedia.blogspot.co.uk
Bibliography

External links