Town and Gown violence

Cambridge University is one of the most famous in the world. Each year hordes of visitors flock to Cambridge to see its iconic colleges, learn about its history and take in its tranquil scenery. But the university’s Medieval beginnings were marred by violence.

Conflict between students and other residents – also known as “town and gown” rivalry – was an issue right from the start.


Kings College, one of the most iconic buildings in the world. Even before Kings was founded in 1441, town and gown rivalries were an issue in Cambridge.

Rocky beginnings

Cambridge University was founded in 1209, partly as a result of rioting in Oxford. A number of Oxford University students fled to Cambridge to escape the violence.

The scholars were unlikely to have found Cambridge more welcoming in those early days. The university’s beginnings were marred by friction between students and townsfolk.

Craftsmen, landlords and traders were frequently accused of ripping students off – so much so that in 1231 Henry III banned Cambridge residents from overcharging them. [University of Cambridge]

Town and gown rivalry

One of the earliest recorded cases of town and gown antagonism in Cambridge was recorded in Lent 1249.

Houses were plundered and a number of people killed during violent skirmishes.

Some scholars escaped to Oxford as a result. [Kitching]

The North/South divide

Another serious riot broke out in 1261. It apparently started after a massive scuffle broke out between students from the North and South of England.

It escalated when townspeople joined in. Houses were looted and university records burnt as a result.

The fight was so serious that the king became involved and the matter was referred to three judges.

“At the rioters’ trial, the judges ruled in favour of the students, setting a precedent that would last for centuries. The new university had found favour with the law and began to establish a firm footing within the town.” [Else]

Sixteen townsmen were hanged while a group of Southern students were granted the royal pardon.

Some scholars fled to Northampton as a result of the violence to continue their studies there. Henry III prevented the students from continuing in Northampton in 1265. [Roach]

Fourteenth Century riots

Town and gown relationships did not improve in the Fourteenth Century, with anti-student rampages recorded in 1322 and 1381.

A new provision in the university charter, introduced in 1317, forced officials, including mayors, to swear to keep up the university’s privileges upon taking office. The university’s growing powers appeared to cause much resentment amongst some non-students.

During the riot of 1381, “a large number of townsfolk attacked the hostels of the students, assaulted them and slew a priest, threw a writ concerning the privileges of the university into the mud, and later tore the same writ down from the door of the tollbooth.” [Roach] 

Stourbridge Fair

Throughout the Middle Ages the university and town regularly clashed, especially over the running of Stourbridge Fair, which was at one time the biggest Medieval fair in Europe.

The dispute continued until the reign of Elizabeth I, when the queen herself intervened. In 1589 she granted the town the rights to the fair while reserving the university’s rights to control weights, measures and quality of goods.

Continued tensions

Town and gown relationships continued to be strained. In 1561 a football match between Chesterton residents and Cambridge students spiralled into violence, writes Ian Kitching.

“The referee was Thomas Parish, the head constable. On a signal the locals abandoned the game, got staves they’d hidden according to his instructions at the nearby St Giles Church and beat up the students.” [Kitching]

Throughout the Sixteenth Century there were tensions between students and other Cambridge residents.

Scholars and those that serviced them, including tailors, fencing instructors and riding masters, put pressure on accommodation and food supplies and “created serious problems of public order”. [University of Cambridge] 

The university and policing

In 1825 the university vice-chancellor promoted the Act for the Better Preservation of Peace and Good Order in the Universities of England, allowing him to appoint his own constables to maintain law and order in Cambridge.

This did not stop locals from firing fireworks at police and university officials in 1827. [Kitching]

The first proper police force in Cambridgeshire was set up in 1836. The university force continued until 1856.

Sources

DirectGov