How did the beef between UCL and King’s go from Rags to fixtures?
As our students compete against University College London (UCL) across 40 sporting fixtures this week in the London Varsity Series, we headed to our archives to uncover some of the historic events that led us to the competition we know today.
How did it begin?
It began with a kidnapping. In 1922, stung into action by blatant criticism of their rugby prowess, students at King’s captured University College London (UCL)'s treasured Phineas, in the first known case of inter-university mascot theft. This struck a pre-emptive blow that was sure to ignite the wrath of their rivals.
Prepared to defend their capture, King’s students locked Phineas away far from sight, protected by a network of defences. UCL students, however, were more formidable than they first appeared, and used spies to uncover the strategy. Phineas was deep behind enemy lines in the Strand Quad, with King’s students lying in wait with water hoses to defend against any attempt at rescue.
And so, the stage was set for what is known as the 'Struggle for the Possession of Phineas' or, for those who were there, the '1922 Battle of the Quad'. Despite rumoured attempts by UCL students to disrupt the water supply to the University by posing as engineers from the Water Board, King's students remained two steps ahead. By connecting their water hoses to the separate mains in Somerset House, they proceeded to soak Phineas' would-be liberators until their disapproving neighbours disconnected them.
Despite police intervention, the battling continued for nearly an hour until honour and order were restored. An armistice was arranged and Phineas was returned to UCL, minus an arm that had been broken off in the battle.
The skirmish drew considerable attention from the London and national newspapers, and a souvenir booklet was produced a few years later to commemorate the first Mascot Battle, which ignited a tit-for-tat feud between UCL and King's students that was to last decades.
A moment of peril for Reggie
As you might expect, our beloved Reggie has had his fair share of main character moments in the Mascot Wars.
First captured in 1927, Reggie was repeatedly targeted through the years by UCL and various other universities - most notably in 1947 when he was badly damaged and in 1967, when he was stolen and found months later almost 50 miles away in Surrey missing his back legs and tail.
By the 1980s, mascotry became more playful in spirit. Reggie was even “married” in a tongue-in-cheek ceremony, though his bride mysteriously disappeared soon after…
'HRH Reggie's wedding'. Image taken from 'The official history or HRH Reggie the Lion', to which we owe much of our knowledge. Courtesy of King's archives. Reference: K/PBN1/19A.
What is Rag Week?
In truth, the rivalry between King's and UCL students stretches back two centuries - long before the 1922 kidnapping of Phineas Maclino (who was originally stationed outside a shop on Tottenham Court Road before being snatched by UCL students) - when King's was founded as an Anglican counterpart to the secular London University (UCL).
What began as a religious and cultural divide eventually became a (mostly) light-hearted rivalry between the two universities, played out during Rag Weeks. Involving events such as black-tie breakfasts, competitions to sell Rag Mags in distant locations, three-legged pub crawls, and the famed “Rag Ball,” these “Raising and Giving” Weeks were ostensibly run to raise funds for a good cause, imbued with the hijinks spirit of years gone by.
'What is Rag', taken from a KCLSU 'Rag Mag' (c.1980) courtesy of King's archives. Reference: K_SER/1/62
Varsity as we know it
By the turn of the 21st century, the pitched battles of the Mascot Wars gave way to battles on the pitch. In 2004, UCL Rugby Club President Adam Sommerfeld founded the London Varsity Series of annual rugby union matches between King’s and UCL and the sporting rivalry grew from there.
Varsity 2026
Today, Varsity is bigger, better and battled out across over 40 unique fixtures.
While you’re more likely to see cuddlier versions of Reggie and Phineas cheering from the sidelines during Varsity week than under lock and key, the same energy remains in this modern-day competition: a rivalry built on London’s history, pride, and inevitable chaos. Varsity 2026 is the latest chapter in a story nearly two centuries in the making. Show your support for our students as they play to win back the cup from our long-standing rivals.
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