Cambridge, graduation day

After all this time, the main reason for the whole trip has finally come upon us - graduation!

The day turned out to be another warm and muggy one, but there was no rain until late afternoon when the Gonville & Caius cermony and after match function were well over. Later it teemed with rain (and thundered) while I sat in the laundromat yet again waiting for washing to be done. (This is actually only the second laundromat visit in 8 weeks so we are not doing too badly with the in-room hand washing routine).

The G&C ceremony was at 10am. Just before that they processed from College to the Senate House. This is not a long walk as the two buildings are next door to each other. Perhaps a 100m walk in all, out the "gate of honour", along the lane, and in the front door of the Senate House. Hamish and two other LLMs led the procession, as LLM was the most senior degree being conferred and alphabetical order put him in the first 3 of the 5 LLMs.

(NB - G&C is often talked about as having 3 main gates. The "gate of humility" through which you first enter College, the "gate of virtue" through which you pass every day while studying, and "gate of honour", which you pass through for graduation only. A lesser, but still important, fourth gate, leading to the toilets, is known as the "gate of necessity".)

Coming out through the gate of honour on the way to the Senate House.

The ceremony itself was all in Latin, except for the H&S notices at the start. Hamish was second up, and therefore inside the Senate House for all of 5 minutes before filing back outside!

There hasn't been a lot of change in the procedure over the last few hundred years. As they apparently say in Cambridge: "A little change is good, but no change is better."

Dress codes for graduands are very strict. All garb is checked during the pre brief and you get sent back if anything is out of order. For example, shirts must be white, not cream. Apparently a couple of the lady graduands were sent away to change into a longer skirt. All this is purely mercenary as the College is fined by the University if it presents any improprerly attired graduands.

The grads come forward in groups of up to four. Each holds a finger of the Praelector while he presents and recommends them to the Master of the College. (Further research needed to find out the purpose of the finger, but it does have the practical effect of limiting the size of each group to four maximium). Each grad then kneels in front of the Master who says Latin words to confer the degree, before bowing and exiting stage right.

Very efficient. No speeches or musical interludes. Certainly no interjections or clapping from the crowd. No photographs. All in Latin. Quite different to the NZ University style of capping ceremonies.

The new Master of Laws.

Post match was a buffet lunch in Caius Court in the College. Salmon or quiche with salads, followed up by fresh rapberries and cream.

Buffet lunching.

Later we strolled and visited Kings College chapel, built in the 1600's by King Henry VI and others. It has the highest vaulted ceiling in the world. Certainly an impressive building to have for your chapel!

Kings College chapel.

Then time for a rest before a late dinner out. Even though we booked some time ago, we could only get a 9:30pm slot - good thing we had a decent lunch! All in all a great day to celebrate a great achievement. Well done Hamish!