King's College, Cambridge

The College was founded by King Henry VI in 1441 and was originally intended as a college for pupils from Eton College, itself founded by Henry. Over the following centuries the college then gradually broadened its intake and is now widely regarded to be amongst the most progressive of the Cambridge colleges. As of 2003, approximately 68% of the British undergraduate intake were educated at comprehensive schools prior to further education.

The College Chapel

The College's Chapel, considered a fine example of late Gothic architecture (otherwise known as 'perpendicular'), was built over a period of 100 years in three stages. Much of the stone used to build the Chapel came from Ramsey Abbey near Ramsey, Cambridgeshire. The chapel features the world's largest fan vault, some fine examples of stained glass and the painting "The Adoration of the Magi" by Rubens.

The Chapel continues to be used actively as a place of worship and also for some concerts and college events. The world-famous Chapel choir consists of choral scholars (male students from the college) and choristers (boys from the nearby King's College School). The choir sings services on most days in term-time, and also performs concerts and makes recordings and broadcasts. In particular, it has broadcast its Nine Lessons and Carols on the BBC from the chapel on Christmas Eve for many decades.

Additionally, there is a mixed-voice Chapel choir of male and female students, King's Voices, which sings evensong on Mondays in term-time.

The Chapel is widely seen as the symbol of Cambridge, for example in the logo of the city council (image).

Alumni

Alumni of the College include: