The improbable statements of our older writers respecting the early history of Cambridge having been frequently appealed to in the disputes as to the relative antiquity of Oxford and Cambridge, some notice of these legends seems necessary.

According to some of these statements, Cambridge owes its origin to one Cantaber a Spanish Prince, who being banished from his native country, was hospitably received by Gurguntius King of Britain, who gave him the hand of his daughter Guenolena, and with her the eastern part of Britain. Cantaber built a large city on the river Cante, where he placed and maintained at his own charge, a society of astronomers and philosophers brought from Athens, in which city he had himself been educated.

With respect to the time of Cantaber's foundation there is some difference.