1441 King's College founded

In 1441 King Henry VI founded the College of St Nicholas, his patron saint, for a rector and 12 scholars. These were to be housed in buildings just North of where King's College chapel is now, which is now part of the University Offices.

In 1443 Henry changed the name to "the King's College of the Blessed Mary and St Nicholas". The Rector's title was changed to Provost and the number of scholors was increased to 70.

This scheme involved massive site enlargement, which involved the removal of God's House, the demolition of the Church of St John Zachary and houses and wharves along the river, and the diversion of roads.

The intention was that scholars from Eton, also founded by Henry VI, would proceed to King's for their university education. In doing so, Henry was following the model of William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester, who similarly founded New College Oxford and Winchester College some 70 years previous.

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