Treasure Island in the Fens

Cambridge: Treasure Island in the Fens, the 800-year Story of the University and Town of Cambridge, 1209 to 2009" is a study of "town and gown" relations in Cambridge, a relatively understudied field. The book reveals why some scholars fleeing from Oxford in 1209 settled in Cambridge and not in one of the more educationally established cathedral cities. The story of how these scholars overwhelmed what was then a prosperous trading community through various state-granted privileges is told. The pre-Reformation relationship between the University and the monasteries is explored. The book also delves into the colleges' financial histories and how the great wealth they generated has been spent through the centuries. The role of women and the underexplored scientific achievements at the University is in the book, as well as less serious parts of Cambridge history such as student misbehavior and university sport. With these topics divided into thematic chapters for easy reference, "Cambridge: Treasure Island in the Fens" is a unique study of Cambridge which will appeal to graduate, visitor, and history enthusiast alike.