Cambridge University: The Other Ancient Haunt

Cambridge University was founded in 1209 by scholars fleeing violence in Oxford. Over eight centuries, it has accumulated its own ghostly population. Nearly every college has supernatural residents, from the famous Grey Lady of Corpus Christi to the phantom fellows of Trinity. If Oxford has ghosts, Cambridge has them too—it’s a point of rivalry.

The History

Foundation

Oxford scholars fled to Cambridge after a violent incident in 1209. The new university flourished, and rivalry between the institutions began.

College System

Like Oxford, Cambridge developed a system of independent colleges, each with its own history, traditions, and ghosts.

Famous Alumni

The university has produced scientists, monarchs, and spies—many of whose spirits are said to return.

The Hauntings

Corpus Christi: The Grey Lady

Cambridge’s most famous ghost:

• Mary Clifton, wife of a Master, died in 1638
• She appears in Old Court
• Wearing grey Jacobean dress
• She loved the college and never left
• The most documented ghost in Cambridge

King’s College Chapel

The magnificent chapel has its ghosts:

• The Phantom Choir: ethereal voices singing when the chapel is empty
• The most commonly reported phenomenon at King’s
• Witnesses describe perfect harmonies and sacred music
• Sometimes identified as Tallis, Byrd, or other Renaissance composers
• The choir has sung here for over 500 years—some never stopped
• Choristers report seeing shadowy figures in the choir stalls
• Victorian choirboys in ruffs and cassocks
• The music stops abruptly when someone enters
• Monks from the medieval foundation
• The original King’s was monastic in character
• Hooded figures in Benedictine habits
• A figure near the altar in vestments
• The spiritual power of the building amplifies the hauntings
• On Christmas Eve, when the famous Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols is broadcast, some claim to hear voices that aren’t part of the living choir
• The acoustics of the chapel may preserve sounds across time
• Choristers speak of feeling watched during rehearsals

Trinity College

Cambridge’s largest and wealthiest college:

• The Great Court: multiple ghosts from different eras
• Founded by Henry VIII in 1546, combining older colleges
• Students in Tudor, Stuart, Georgian, and Victorian dress
• All eras appear simultaneously in the vast court
• The Phantom Porter: a Victorian college servant still at his post
• Seen at the Great Gate, checking people entering
• Wearing the traditional porter’s uniform
• He challenges visitors, then vanishes when approached
• Scholars in the Cloisters: Nevile’s Court is particularly haunted
• Gowned figures walking and debating
• The sound of Latin disputations
• The cloisters echo with centuries of academic arguments
• The Wren Library: designed by Christopher Wren, completed 1695
• Books moving on shelves by themselves
• The sound of pages turning in the silent reading room
• A figure reading at a desk that’s no longer there
• The library houses Newton’s papers—his presence is felt
• Newton’s Ghost: Sir Isaac Newton’s spirit
• The greatest scientist who ever lived
• His rooms in the Great Court are haunted
• A figure in Restoration dress, deep in thought
• Most commonly seen near his former chambers
• Some report seeing him under the apple tree (though the original is long gone)
• Witnesses describe feeling sudden understanding or inspiration—Newton still teaches
• The combination of his genius and his obsessive personality may anchor his spirit

Queens’ College

The Mathematical Bridge has its legend:

• Originally built without bolts (false)
• A ghost watches from the water
• Figures on the bridge at night
• The atmosphere is particularly charged

Peterhouse

The oldest Cambridge college:

• A headless Fellow
• A former bursar haunts the bursary
• The first foundation has the oldest ghosts
• Founded 1284

The Backs

The river path behind the colleges:

• Figures walk at night
• Students from every era
• Scholars who drowned
• The river has claimed many

Trinity Lane

The narrow passage:

• A recurring apparition
• Spotted by students for decades
• A woman in old-fashioned dress
• She blocks the way, then vanishes

Modern Activity

Cambridge, like Oxford, embraces its ghosts:

• Student folklore preserves the stories
• Staff acknowledge phenomena
• Each college has its traditions
• The competition with Oxford extends to hauntings
• Both universities claim superiority in ghosts

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Cambridge University has been haunted for over 800 years. The Grey Lady of Corpus Christi, the phantom choir of King’s, the spirits in Trinity’s Great Court—all continue their existence within these ancient walls. In the eternal rivalry with Oxford, Cambridge holds its own in ghosts.