King's College London–UCL rivalry

The rivalry between King's College London and University College London has been a part of London life for nearly two centuries.[1]

Origins

King's College was founded in 1829 in response to the founding of "London University", latterly known as University College London, in 1826. UCL was founded, with the backing of Jews, Utilitarians and non-Anglican Christians, as a secular institution, intended to educate "the youth of our middling rich people between the ages of 15 or 16 and 20 or later".

Embankment terrace, King's College London
Portico building, University College London

Early in 1829 Winchilsea publicly challenged Wellington about the Duke's simultaneous support for the Anglican King's College and the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829. The result was a duel in Battersea Fields on 21 March. Shots were fired but no-one was hurt. Duel Day is still celebrated annually at King's in March.[2][3]

Student Rags
Main article: Rag (student society)

Student Rags were manifestations of the rivalry between the two institutions. Rags were "colourful, subversive, and occasionally dangerous" for both participants and bystanders and reached their height between the two World Wars.[4] A long-running campaign of the rags were the attempts to capture each other's mascots. Running battles were supposedly brought to an end by the colleges' authorities in the first half of the twentieth century, but rivalry amongst the University of London's colleges continues to this day.[5]

The body of Jeremy Bentham (with fake head)

College mascots
Reggie the Lion – King's Mascot

Kidnappings

Likewise, UCL mascots have been kidnapped over the years, with the tarring and feathering of Phineas and the infamous theft of preserved Jeremy Bentham's head. Mascot theft has since died down with both university's mascots more securely protected.

1919–1938: Heyday of the rag

1950–present

Today, annual rag events take place in universities throughout the United Kingdom to raise money for charities.

Women

[6]

Other intercollegiate rivalries within the University of London

In 1935 a failed attempt was made by student of Queen Mary to capture Reggie the Lion. A triumph for Queen Mary students came in 1923 during a football cup final between Queen Mary and University College.[7]

See also

References
  1. Origins of the Colleges' Contrasting Histories, London: King's College London, retrieved 14 January 2013
  2. Duel Day Celebrations 2011, London: King's College London, retrieved 14 January 2013
  3. Duel Day – Questions and Answers, London: King's College London, retrieved 14 January 2013
  4. Mayhem in the Metropolis, King's College London, retrieved 14 January 2013
  5. "Centre for Advancement of Women in Politics". Retrieved 23 November 2007.
  6. "Women and the Rag". Kings Collections. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  7. Godwin, George (1939). Queen Mary College An Adventure in Education. London: Queen Mary College and The Acorn Press. pp. 193–97.
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