King's College, Aberdeen facts for kids
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King's College is a very old and important part of the University of Aberdeen in Old Aberdeen, Scotland. It was first started as its own university way back in 1495. Its official name was The University and King's College of Aberdeen. Today, its beautiful old buildings are the heart of the university's campus in Old Aberdeen.
The most famous and oldest building at King's College is the King's College Chapel. It was built in the late 1400s. Many other historic buildings are still there, though some were updated in the 1700s and 1800s. In the early 1900s, the university grew a lot, adding more buildings around the old college. Later in the 1900s, the university expanded even more, becoming a big part of Old Aberdeen with many modern buildings.
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A Look Back: King's College History
King's College was the very first university in Aberdeen. It was also the third university ever created in Scotland and the sixth in the British Isles.
How King's College Began
In 1495, a man named William Elphinstone was the Bishop of Aberdeen. He saw that many people in the north of Scotland needed more education. So, he asked Pope Alexander VI and King James IV to help him start a university.
In February 1495, the Pope agreed, and the university was officially founded. Later that year, King James IV also gave it a special paper called a royal charter. This charter said that King's College was just as important as Scotland's two other universities at Glasgow and St Andrews. Bishop Elphinstone had studied at the University of Paris, so he designed King's College to be like the universities in Europe. Hector Boece, who was also a professor at Paris, became the first leader of the new university.
Early Days and Changes
University life at King's College truly began in 1509 when Bishop Elphinstone issued another important document. The building of the chapel started in 1498. It was finished and blessed in 1509, and it was dedicated to St Mary. By 1514, the university had about 42 people, including both teachers and students.
After the Scottish Reformation, which was a big religious change, the Catholic staff at King's College were removed. However, the college mostly kept its old ways of teaching. But George Keith, a powerful lord, wanted to modernize the college. In 1593, he started a second university in Aberdeen called Marischal College. This led to a rivalry between the two colleges.
Both King's College and Marischal College supported the Jacobite cause, which was a fight to bring back the old royal family. After the Jacobites lost a battle in 1715, many teachers and officials at both colleges were removed.
Exploring the College Buildings
Work on the main buildings of King's College started in April 1500. The land was a bit marshy, so they used large oak beams to support the buildings.
The Chapel's Crown
The chapel has a special crown on top of its tower. This crown looks like a royal crown, showing the importance of the Scottish monarchy. The first crown was destroyed in a storm in 1633, but the one you see today is a copy. Inside, King's College Chapel has more old wooden carvings from the Middle Ages than any other church in Scotland. This includes the special choir stalls and a screen.
Cromwell Tower and Elphinstone Hall
The Cromwell Tower was built in the 1650s and 1660s. It was used for student housing and had a fancy turret at the top. Today, it is still used as an observatory for looking at the stars.
In 1930, the Elphinstone Hall was built. This created a new area with two courtyards, connected to the original King's buildings. The Hall faces outwards, and its lawn creates an open space. This space is now surrounded by Old Aberdeen's High Street and the "New King's" building, which was built in 1913.
King's College Today
King's College is now part of the university's main campus in Old Aberdeen. It still has its original historic courtyard. This area now holds a large conference center and the university's chapel. Elphinstone Hall is used for events, dining, and exams. The back of King's College is now a sports area. The old college buildings are a central point for the whole university campus. Even though they are smaller than some of the newer buildings, they are still very important.
King's College Chapel
King's College Chapel is the main chapel used by the University of Aberdeen. It forms the north side of the original King's College courtyard. Building the chapel started in 1498 and finished in 1509 when it was blessed. The most famous part of the Chapel's design is its Crown Tower. This tower has become a symbol for the entire university. The chapel is dedicated to the Trinity and the Blessed Virgin Mary. It also remembers many Scottish and British kings and queens, as well as the people who helped start the university. The name especially honors King James IV of Scotland, who was a main supporter of the college.
Inside the Chapel
The choir stalls and rood screen inside the chapel are very special. They were made around 1509. These wooden carvings are the most complete medieval church interior in Scotland. Since 1928, the front part of the chapel has been used as the university's war memorial. The names of 524 students who died in the First and Second World War are written on its walls.
Bishop Elphinstone, who founded the college, and Hector Boece, its first leader, were buried at the front of the chapel. However, a later update of the chapel found that the Bishop's body was missing, and no one knows what happened to it. The chapel's design and when it was built were meant to remind people of Solomon's Temple.
The King's College Centre
The King's College Conference Centre is a place for meetings and events. It is located inside the King's College building. It was created in 1991 in what used to be the university library. It still has many of the original features of the old buildings.
In May 2002, the Scottish Parliament met here for a few days. This happened because their usual meeting place was being used by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. During this time, Queen Elizabeth II visited the Parliament as part of her Golden Jubilee tour of the United Kingdom.
Modern University Campus
The university owns most of the land and buildings on its campus. However, some buildings are still private homes, shops, and businesses. Many of these businesses serve the university community. The campus also has large lawns, trees, and beautiful flower displays. These green spaces are popular places for students and staff to relax in the summer.
The original King's College buildings and the High Street are still the heart of the modern campus. They are still used for teaching, housing academic departments, and other university activities. During the 1900s, the university bought more land around these old buildings and built new ones to grow. These newer buildings show the style of architecture from the time they were built. The newest building is the Sir Duncan Rice Library, which was finished in 2011.
Images for kids
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King's College
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King's College quad
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New Building, King's College
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Elphinstone Hall
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King's College Chapel
