Swavesey Village College

20 May.  The Spinning House.  How Cambridge University locked up women in their private prison.  Caroline Biggs.  In 1561 the university was granted legal powers to deny the townswomen of Cambridge basic rights.  Josephine Butler (1828–1906) became famous for highlighting the iniquity of the Contagious Diseases Acts (CDAs) of the 1860s, based on the 1561 powers, whereby any woman suspected of being a prostitute or even being seen anywhere near a student could be spirited away by a university “bulldog” and imprisoned in the notoriously filthy Spinning House jail, with no right to appeal or to a trial by jury.   Emma Kemp was sentenced to fourteen days after being “found in the company of members of the university”.  Jane Elsden was given two weeks for “not coming quietly” when hauled off the streets.  Victorian hypocrisy is everywhere in this story. At least half of our members live in Over, including our Secretary.  The History Society meets at 7.30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month in The Carol Shaw Room at Swavesey Village College – through the main entrance then 20 metres along the corridor to the right.  No need to book so you are welcome to just walk in.  If you want further information, contact our Secretary, Carolyn on carolyn.redmayne@ntlworld.com or on 01954 230037.  

17 June.  Richard Bentley and Over Rectory.  Richard Hewlings.  Richard Bentley (1662 – 1742), was a brilliant classical scholar and theologian and became Master of Trinity College, Cambridge in 1700.  His contemptuous treatment of many eminent colleagues led to extensive controversy and litigation.  A Fellow of the Royal Society, Bentley was interested in natural theology and the new physical sciences, subjects on which he corresponded with Isaac Newton – another difficult person.  History Society’s main interest in him is that he built Over Rectory. At least half of our members live in Over, including our Secretary.  The History Society meets at 7.30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month in The Carol Shaw Room at Swavesey Village College – through the main entrance then 20 metres along the corridor to the right.  No need to book so you are welcome to just walk in.  If you want further information, contact our Secretary, Carolyn on carolyn.redmayne@ntlworld.com or on 01954 230037.