Henry VI

Henry VI (1421-1471) ruled England twice, first from 1422 and then again in 1470-71, with his deposition in 1461 between the two reigns. Politics in his time were turbulent, but his support for education left lasting institutions, among them Eton College, King's College in Cambridge and All Souls College in Oxford.

King's College

Henry issued letters patent on 12 February 1441 for a small college in Cambridge with a rector and 12 poor scholars. He began buying the land for the larger college that stands on the present site in 1443. King's College had been founded soon after Eton, and at first it admitted only Eton boys. The Wars of the Roses, a shortage of money and his deposition all interrupted his plans. A bronze fountain in Front Court, put up in 1874-79, carries a figure of the founder.

King's College Chapel

Henry laid the first stone of King's College Chapel himself, on 25 July 1446. Building slowed after he lost the throne in 1461, and a timber roof replaced the planned stone vault. The chapel was finished in 1544, during the reign of Henry VIII.

King's College School

King's College School traces its beginnings to the choir of the college chapel, where a full complement of 16 choristers was singing by 1447.

Christ's College

The college that became Christ's began as God's House, which had a royal licence in 1439. Its founding charter of 1448 named Henry VI as founder, and in that year the college moved to its present site.

St Edward King and Martyr

The clearing of land for King's led to the demolition of the church of St John Zachary. In compensation, the living of St Edward King and Martyr passed in 1445 to Trinity Hall.

Visiting

King's College and its chapel have separate pages with visiting details.