The tiny gothic-style Cambridgeshire tower that a king gifted to Italians

The tower was lived in by an Italian religious figure

A tiny tower in Cambridge was once gifted to and lived in by Italians. History is all around in Cambridgeshire, with some historic buildings standing the test of time for hundreds of years.

One in Chesterton, known as Chesterton Tower, is a building that’s stood since the mid-14th century in Chapel Street.

This tiny tower was built in a gothic style. In 1227, Chesterton Church was gifted by Henry III to an abbey in Vercelli, northern Italy.

This was given as a thanks for the cardinal’s help in preventing a civil war. A procurator, who was most likely a canon of the abbey, lived in the tower.

It’s believed the procurator would have watched over affairs of the area. In 1440, the tower’s ownership then changed hands, as Henry VI gave the buildings to King’s Hall in Cambridge. King’s Hall later became Trinity College, as named by Henry VIII.

In 1949, the tower was fully restored and today it is now used as offices. It also stands in the former vicarage garden of nearby St Andrew’s Church.

The tower is made up of two storeys. It was built from field stones, clunch, brick and ashlar quoins. Inside, there are vaulted ceilings, a spiral staircase and garderobe, making it a home. It also includes original windows and old fireplaces.

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