Eton, College Chapel 1895

Photo ref: 35363

More about this scene

This magnificent building has a history all of its own. 'No part of Henry VI's scheme for a college was of greater importance than that of a church', according to the Eton guide book. The charter was signed on 11 October 1440, and he laid the foundation stone on Passion Sunday 1441. Thomas Bekynton celebrated his first mass as Bishop of Bath and Wells on 13 October 1443. The King frequently changed his plans: the first building was pulled down when it was near completion for a new and larger one to be started. The choir of the new church was probably finished in about 1479, although it may have been in use earlier. Henry was overthrown in 1461, so building work probably stopped. The College was abolished by Papal Bull in 1463, but this decision was reversed in about 1470 after the college gained royal favour from Edward IV. Provost Waynflete remained chief benefactor until his death in 1484, and he finished off the chapel. Lupton's Chapel was added in 1515, with its north and south-west porches; otherwise the main church remains much as Waynflete built it.