King's College Chapel, Cambridge: The World's Largest Fan Vault
King's College Chapel has the world's largest fan vault.
Credit: https://www.chrisboland.com
It's also considered one of the world’s finest examples of Perpendicular Gothic English architecture.
The Chapel was built in phases by a succession of kings of England from 1446 to 1515, a period which spanned the Wars of the Roses and three subsequent decades.
It’s the oldest surviving building within the College site and perhaps the most iconic building in Cambridge
King's College Chapel owes its existence to the visionary King Henry VI, who, in 1441, founded King's College with the intent of establishing a chapel that would rival the grandeur of any in Europe.
Henry was only 19 when he laid the first stone of the 'College roial of Oure Lady and Seynt Nicholas' in Cambridge on Passion Sunday, 1441.
At the time, this marsh town was still a port so, to make way for his college, Henry exercised a form of compulsory purchase in the centre of medieval Cambridge, levelling houses, shops, lanes and wharves, and even a church between the river and the high street.
Henry drew up detailed instructions for Eton and King's, and at both places his first concern was the chapel.
He went to great lengths to ensure that King's College Chapel would be without equal in size and beauty.
The foundation stone of the Chapel was laid on the feast of St James, 25 July 1446, by the king; it was the first step in his plan for a great court, of which the Chapel was to form the north side.
Henry explained everything in his 'wille and entent' of 1448, but only the Chapel was ever completed.
Despite these hurdles, the chapel slowly took shape under the guidance of master builders like Reginald Ely and John Wastell.
In 1508, work began again on a grand scale.
Henry VII died in 1509, but the terms of his will ensured that money was provided to 'perfourme and end al the warkes that is not yet doon in the said chirche'.
Henry VII's executors gave a further £5000 to pay for vaulting the Chapel, and by 1515 the main structure was complete.
This work, and most of the glazing of the windows, was done during the reign of his son, Henry VIII, who was responsible for the screen and much of the Chapel woodwork.
John Wastell, the last and perhaps most brilliant master mason who worked on King's, took charge in 1508.
He is the architect of the beautiful fan vaulting – 'the noblest stone ceiling in existence' – which was built in just three years between 1512 and 1515.
When Henry VIII died in 1547, just over a hundred years after the laying of the foundation stone, King's College Chapel was recognised as one of Europe's finest, late medieval buildings.
It was in truth 'a work of kings'.
During the Civil War, the Chapel was used as a training ground by Oliver Cromwell’s troops, but escaped major damage, possibly because Cromwell, having been a Cambridge student, gave orders for it to be spared.
Graffiti left by these soldiers is still visible on the north and south walls near the altar.
During World War II, most of the stained glass was removed and the Chapel again escaped damage.
Today, the Chapel is actively used as a place of worship and also for some concerts and college events.
Notable college events include the annual King's College Music Society May Week Concert, held on the Monday of May week.
Great Windows
The windows of King's College Chapel are some of the finest in the world from their era.
There are 12 large windows on each side of the Chapel, and larger windows at the east and west ends. With the exception of the west window, they are by Flemish hands and date from 1515 to 1531.
Barnard Flower, the first non-Englishman appointed as the King's Glazier, completed four windows.
Galyon Hone and three partners (two English and one Flemish) are responsible for the east window and 16 others between 1526 and 1531. The final four were made by Franc Williamson and Symon Symondes.
The one modern window is that in the west wall, which was donated by King's alumnus Franc Stacey and is by the Clayton and Bell company and dates from 1879.
Visiting the chapel today
The chapel is a very popular tourist attraction in Cambridge.
Among the Chapel's many facets you will see an exhibition of the history of the College, the world's largest fan vaulted ceiling and the Adoration of the Magiby Rubens.
In addition, outside you will be able to view the wildflower meadow on the back lawn, which was established in 2020, as well as the Xu Zhimo stone in the memorial garden.
All visits are self guided, and you are welcome to walk at your leisure.
They kindly ask that you respect the space of others during your visit, and to respect the College as a place of study.
As of 2024, tickets start at £13 for adults.
Writing on TripAdvisor, one recent visitor said: “Highly recommended! The chapel is spectacular, and there is a nice exhibition explaining the history of the college.
”At present there are some solar panels under construction at King's, but this is only visible from the outside - don't let it discourage you from visiting this wonderful chapel.
”Would suggest taking at least an hour to enjoy this place properly.”
Another person added: “The architecture is stunning, and the grounds just outside were just as beautiful when we visited (field of flowers between the chapel and the River Cam).
”We accidentally tried to enter the campus through a student entrance, but the security guard was kind enough to let us through once we purchased tickets online! Very nice chap.
”The chapel and grounds are absolutely worth a visit if you make the stop in Cambridge!
”We would certainly recommend you visit.”
If you’d like to visit the chapel, the address is: King's Parade, Cambridge CB2 1ST.
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