In the same five years three new colleges were founded at Cambridge-Trinity, Corpus Christi, and Clare-although love of learning, like love in marriage, was not always the motive. Corpus Christi was founded in 1352 because fees for celebrating masses for the dead were so inflated after the plague that two guilds of Cambridge decided to establish a college whose scholars, as clerics, would be required to pray for their deceased members.
During a five-year period, three new colleges emerged at Cambridge: Trinity, Corpus Christi, and Clare. However, the motivation behind their establishment was not solely a passion for education, much like how marriage may not always be driven by romantic love. Notably, Corpus Christi was founded in 1352 in response to exorbitant fees charged for mass celebrations for the deceased, which surged after the plague. As a result, two local guilds took the initiative to create a college where scholars, serving as clerics, would be obligated to pray for their departed members.
This development highlights the interplay of economic and social factors in education during the 14th century. The founding of these institutions was not just about enhancing learning but also about addressing community needs and ensuring that religious obligations, particularly for the deceased, could be met. This illustrates how historical circumstances, such as the aftermath of the plague, shaped the evolution of educational institutions in medieval Europe.
