ABSTRACT
The building of King's College Chapel, initiated by Henry VI, continued even after his downfall in 1461 though without the patronage of the new Royal house and consequently at a much reduced rate. This chapter presents an overview of the Lancastrian campaign as extending from 1441 to 1476. The early history of the existing Chapel at King's is extremely complex and frustrating. When Henry VI decided to found a new college in Cambridge, he could have chosen a layout and design from either of the two university traditions. It is notable therefore, that his first, small-scale project, was to be laid out in the more modest Cambridge tradition, while his second and far larger conception for the existing college opted for the grand manner of Oxford. The original buildings for the first, small project were intended to stand on a site to the north of the present Chapel, now completely occupied by the Old Schools.
