Edmund Gonvill founded a Hall called Gonvill Hall, which was at first built upon the place where now are the orchard and tennis court of Bennet College; but within five years after it was removed into the place where it now stands by William Bateman, Bishop of Norwich, and executor of the said Edmund Gonvill. Some time after, John Caius, Doctor of Physic, improved this Hall into a new College, since called after his own name.

Anno 1347.—This that follows is an extract from the annals of this College, and also from the evidences of the said College, designed only to set forth the endowments of it, and how and to what purpose they became endowed as they are at this day.

1347—48.—Edmund Gonvill, rector of Terrington in Norfolk, obtained his patents under the great seal of England, dated at Westminster, Jan. 28, 22 E. III., by which he had leave to convert his three messuages, with the orchards and appurtenances, then worth 20s. per annum, situate in Leyborn or Lurghburne Lane, in the parishes of St. Benedict and St. Buttolph in Cambridge (the place where now Bennet College orchard is), into a perpetual College of twenty scholars, students in logic, and other sciences, and that he might give it what name he would.