Tsar Alexander I of Russia stays in the Queen's Room at Merton following the first defeat of Napoleon. In 1816, the Tsar sends a huge vase of Siberian jasper to the college as a sign of his gratitude which won't arrive at Merton until 1822.

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The Russian vase gifted to the college by Tsar Alexander I where it now stands in the antechapel of Merton Chapel (image credit Colin Dunn)
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