Royal Scots College facts for kids

The Royal Scots College (in Spanish: Real Colegio de Escoceses) is a special school called a major seminary. It is located in Salamanca, Spain. This college trains people to become priests for the Catholic Church in Scotland.

The college has moved a few times. It started in Madrid, then moved to Valladolid. Since 1988, it has been in Salamanca.

History of the College

How the College Started

The Royal Scots College was created in Madrid in 1627. It was founded by Colonel William Semple and his wife, Doña María de Ledesma. Colonel Semple had a long career serving the Spanish king in the military and as a diplomat.

The college was set up for students who were "Scottish by birth." These students were meant to study important subjects like philosophy and theology. Their main goal was to return to Scotland to preach and help people. The founders wanted this work to continue as long as it was needed.

Early Years in Madrid

A Scottish Jesuit named Hugh Semple helped manage the college in Madrid until he passed away in 1654. For many years after that, Spanish Jesuits ran the college. The leaders, called rectors, were chosen by the Jesuit provincial in Toledo.

In 1726, King Philip V of Spain chose the college's rector, William Clerk, for an important job. Clerk became the king's chief confessor, a very influential position. He left his role at the college to focus on this new duty.

Moving to Valladolid

In 1734, Scottish students from the college moved to another Scots College in Douai. However, the college in Madrid still had staff for another 33 years. In 1767, the Jesuits were expelled from Spain, and the college closed. Its money and property were given to another college nearby.

But in 1771, this decision was changed. The college's assets were returned to the Scottish church. The college then moved to Valladolid and was run by Scottish priests.

Challenges and Changes

The college had to close from 1808 to 1816 because of the Peninsular War. During this war, French forces controlled Valladolid. The building next to the college became a hospital, and some of its workers stayed at the college. In 1810, the college's leader was even told to house French officers.

In 1828, Ferdinand VII of Spain, the King of Spain, and his wife visited the college in Valladolid. This was during a trip they made to the city.

The Move to Salamanca

The college moved to Salamanca in 1988. This move allowed students to attend the Pontifical University of Salamanca.

A Special Discovery

In September 2020, something exciting was found in the college's library in Salamanca. It was a 1634 edition of The Two Noble Kinsmen. This play was written by the famous English playwright William Shakespeare. It is believed to be the oldest copy of any of his works found in Spain.

The Boecillo Summer House

The college used to own a summer house called the Casa Grande. This house was in the village of Boecillo, about eight miles south of Valladolid. It was built in the 1790s. At that time, students did not go home for the summer.

John Geddes realized students needed a country house for their health. His successor, Alexander Cameron, started buying land near the village in 1787. The local council of Boecillo even gave some land for the house. The house was mostly ready by 1795.

During the Peninsular War, a famous general, the Duke of Wellington, used the Boecillo house. He used it as his headquarters twice in 1812.

The college continued to use the house until it left Valladolid in 1988. The house was later sold for development in the early 2000s.

See also

In Spanish: Royal Scots College para niños

• Scots College, Rome
• Scots College, Paris
• Scots College, Douai
• Scots Monastery, Regensburg