Limited edition giclée print
Edition of 500
Print size 329mm x 483mm
Printed on 310gsm
standard fine art paper

Trinity College was founded by Sir Thomas Pope in 1555. Pope was a trusted privy counsellor of Mary Tudor, and it was from Mary and Philip that he received royal approval for the college. His wife, Lady Elizabeth Pope, was a particularly influential figure in Trinity's early years. The Fellows, all men, were required to take Holy Orders and remain unmarried. No new buildings were erected in 1555, for Thomas Pope had purchased the site and buildings of Durham College, which provided a place of study in Oxford for a small number of monks from the Benedictine Cathedral Church at Durham. The only surviving Durham College building is Trinity's Old Library, which was completed in 1421. The name Trinity is thought to echo the original dedication of Durham College to the Trinity, the Virgin and St Cuthbert.
The chapel is built on the site of the medieval chapel of Durham College and is the finest example of late 17th century architecture in Oxford. It is not known who the architect was although Wren is known to have had some influence. The large round headed windows are separated by Corinthian pilasters with and on the low tower there are statues of Theology, Medicine, Geometry and Astronomy. The gate tower is also the bell tower for the chapel.