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.

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".

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.

Student Rags 

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. 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.

College mascots

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

Great rag of 1922

1927 – Students storm University College

1929

1938–1945: World War II

1950–present

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

Women

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.

See also 
 College rivalry

References

External links 
 King's College London's Archives & Special Collections
 
 

King's College London
Rivalry
University College London
University folklore