An early 20th century Edwardian hand painted escutcheon mounted on an oak shield representing the college coat of arms of St Catharine’s College, Cambridge.
 
English, circa 1910
 
Dimensions

Height: 21.5cm / 8½"
Width: 17.5cm / 7”

St Catharine’s College was founded in 1473 as Lady Katharine Hall by Robert Woodlark. It became St Catharine’s in 1860. The college is located in the heart of Cambridge and is south of King’s College and across the street from Corpus Christi College. The college is notable for its open court unlike most of the other colleges which have closed quadrangles. In 1475 St Catharine’s received its royal charter from King Edward IV. The college is thought to have been named as part of the Renaissance cult of Catherine of Alexandria who was a patron saint of learning. The Catherine wheel is a symbol of the saint’s martyrdom and it appears on the college coat of arms. Historically, St Catharine’s has generally been placed in the top third of the Tompkins Table. The college has a strong reputation in hockey and racquet sports. The college Boat Club has both men’s and women’s 1st boats residing in the middle of the 1st division of the May Bumps races. The Shirley Society is the college literary society and is the oldest in Cambridge.