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Glossary of Cambridge-related terminology

Studying at Cambridge

 

Night-watch

The patrolling of the streets by night for the maintenance of law and order (and the apprehension of undergraduates whose only offence was not to be in College after the fixed hour, or not to be properly equipped with cap and gown). The night-watch was kept by the Proctors, accompanied by their constables, with occasional conflicts with the similar watch kept by the borough authorities.