Figure 1.--This print was made of the Lancaster Royal Grammar School in 1852. I'm not sure if the boy shown with his mother was a student at the school, but he does appear to be wearing a kind of school uniform.
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Figure 1.--This print was made of the Lancaster Royal Grammar School in 1852. I'm not sure if the boy shown with his mother was a student at the school, but he does appear to be wearing a kind of school uniform. |
The Lancaster Royal Grammar School (LRGS) has a long history. It is one of the oldest schools in England. In fact it is one of the oldest in the whole of England that is still in existence. It was founded in 1235, before the better known public schools such as Eton and Harrow. We have no information on what the school was like in these early years. Presumably the boys educated were the sons of prosperous merchants. The school was endowed by John Gardyner in 1472. A HBC reader has provided us a perspectus from the 1860s which provide some interesting insights about the school, including the fees. Boys who attended the school in the 19th century would have been middle class boys from affluent families. One working-class boy, William Whewell (1794-1866) whose father was a carpenter had to be offered a free education by Joseph Rowley master of the school. Many boys were the sons of mercahnts, like Sir Richard Own (1804-92). England did not have free state secondary schools until after World War II. Boys from well to do families attended public (exclusive private) schools. Boys from middle class families of more modest means might attend grammar schoosl. The academic program consisted of Greek, Latin, classical composition, French, German, mathematics, and the principles of mensuration (mathematics dealing with measurement), history and geograpghy (ancient and modern), and writing. At LRGS the fees in 1860-61 were 40 guineas (a pound plus a shilling) per annum for a boy under 10 years of age and 45 guineas for a boy over 10 years. Brothers were given a special rate of 40 guineas. Boarding was 35 guineas, but only 20 guineas for weekly boarders. Washing and mending was 15 shillings per quarter. Extra charges were for drawing, dancing, drilling ("if desired"), and books ("previously approved by the parents"). Examinations took place at the end of each half year and at mid-summer. Prizes were awarded by examiners appointed by the town council. The participation of the town council suggests a kind of quasi-public status for the school even though it was a fee-paying institution. Unlike many grammar schools in the 1970s, LRGS did not become a comprehensive. LRGS is today a state voluntary aided 11-18 selective
school of 975 boys including 160 boarders and 270 in the sixth form.
The Lancaster Royal Grammar School (LRGS) has a long history. It is one of the oldest schools in England. In fact it is one of the oldest in the whole of England that is still in existence. The date of founding is often given as 1235, but this appears to be the first known date that the school was definitely operated. The actual date appears to be earlier, but is not know with any precission. The earliest reference associated with the school to be found is in a gift of 3 acres of land by Idus, son of William, son of Alicia of Lancaster to St. Mary’s Priory at Lancaster. The document is not dated, but based on information about those who signed it has to be before 1249. Historians do not believe it was before the beginning of the 13th century because Lancaster itself did not receive its charter from the Earl of Moreton, Lord of Honour of Lancaster, in 1193 A. D. later ratified who in 1199 acceeded to the throne as King John. Whatever the precise date, it was before the better known public schools such as Eton and Harrow. We have no information on what the school was like in these early years. We know little about the students at this time. Presumably the boys educated were the sons of prosperous merchants or landowers. One historian writes, "
His pupils would have come from all over the county of Lancashire because the local rural population would have been excluded due to the need for permission (rarely granted) from the lord of the manor for the sons of villeins (feudal tenants) to attend." ["Brief history"]
The first headmaster was Thomas de Kircham who would have been a university graduate to earn the right to be called "Master". The school would have taught "Trivium" (Latin Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric). ["Brief history"]
Somw information about the school is avalable from the 15th century. He learn about the first actual student, at least, as an adult or "old boy". His name was Christopher Urswick. He was born in 1448 on the Furness Abbey estate. He appears in William Shakespeare’s play Richard III, I assume that means he is mentioned in the play but am not sure. He had the position as almoner (Official distributor of charitable donations to the poor) of King Henry VIII. He left money to repair his old school at Lancaster. John Gardyner, described as a self-made-man and a "fremor" who acquired monastical leases on favourable terms. For some reason he was very concerned with the Royal Grammar School. One of his leased included a provision that provided an endowment for the school, "because the said John Gardyner intends, God permitting, to establish a certain fit chaplain to celebrate worship in the church of the blessed Mary of Lancaster every year, and to instruct and inform boys in grammar, the said mill is let to the same John by the said Abbess and Convent for the time and price stated, and withal the said chaplain shall specially recommend in his prayers the living and dead of the said monastery, and also shall instruct the boys coming there, in grammar, freely, unless perchance something shall be voluntarily offered by their friends to the said chaplain in recompense". The same John Gardyner also included provision for the school in his will. One historians mentions founding a "free school" A provision provided that the chaplain should teach boys freely suggests that Gardyner was greatly concerned with the welfare of the boys, especially those of modest means. The idea aparently was that Grammar School Master was to be given a stipend so that the students would not have to pay tuition. Gardyner left furthur money to support the Royal Grammar School in hbis will which was made in 1472. The income from The Newton Mill waterwheel was to be used to support the school. (About 50 years later a water mill was used to endow Manchester Grammar School). The will read, "And I will that a certain grammar school within the town of Lancaster be supported freely at my own property charges, and that the Grammarian keeping the said school may have per annum six marks (£4) to be received from the said mill by the hands of my executors; also I will and assign my water-mill aforesaid in the vill (feudal township) of Newton, situate upon the water of Loyne (River Lune), to remain in the hands of my executors, with one close containing one acre, and adjoining to the said mill, from which mill and close my said executors shall pay annually to the said priest and grammarian keeping the school aforesaid a hundred shillings and six marks as above written". Gardyner died in 1483. His will was "proved" at the “Great Church of York”. ["Brief History".]
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Table 1.--England. Lancaster Royal Grammar School. Boys entering Cambridge University, 1610-1710
……YEAR………...BOY'S NAME ………...FATHER'S OCCUPATION...
* A man holding a small amount of land ** A farmer Source: Author unknown, "A brief history of Lancaster Royal Grammar School". |
Some interesting information is available on the school in the 17th century. The school had boys from varied backgrounds. Boys from different social classes (lower and upper) were educated in the same class regardless of whether they were the sons of yeomen farmers, local tradesmen or landed gentry. It was only later in the 18th and 19th Centuries were different schools established for different class of people. Local boys were apparently the majority. I think that meant boys who did not board. Some walked up to 5 miles to school. School began at 6 AM in the morning. Boys that lived further away made living arrangements in Lancaster. Some may have had relatives. Others boarded. There were no actual boarding facilities at the school. This would have meant that the boyswere unsupervised after classes outside of school. There was not even a house supplied for the Headmaster. One report from 1680 indicates that six boys stayed with a woman in Heversham, each paying £4 annually. Some information is available about the boys. A list of boys going on to Cambridge gives an indication as to background of the boys. These were old boys from the school who went to Cambridge University from the school during 1610-1710 (table 1).
Some information on the 18th century is available in 1764 from William Cockin, Writing Master and Accountant. We note three mathematics questions he set his pupils. They were not easy ones. "1. A young hare starts 5 rods (1 rod = 5½ yards) before a greyhound, and is not perceived by him, till she had been up 34 seconds. She scuds away at the rate of 12 miles an hour, and the dog on view makes after her at the rate of 20 miles an hour. How long will the course last and what ground will be run, beginning with the out-setting of the dog? 2. Suppose a dog, a wolf, and a lion were to devour a sheep. Suppose that the dog could eat up the sheep in an hour, the wolf in ¾ of an hour, and the lion in ½ an hour. If the lion begins to eat 1/8th of an hour before the other two, and afterwards all 3 eat together, in what time will the sheep be devoured? 3. A lad having got 4,000 nuts, in his return was met by Mad-Tom who took from him 5/8ths of 2/3rds of his whole stock. Raving-Ned light upon him afterwards and forced 2/5ths of 5/8ths of the remainder from him. Unluckily Positive-Jack found him and required 7/10ths of 17/20ths of what he had left. Smiling-Dolly was by promise to have ¾ of ¼ of what nuts he brought home. How many had the boy left?" ["Brief history"]
Much moreinformation becomes available about the school in the 19th century.
The Grammar School was originally built on the western slope of the hill where Lancaster Castle and Lancaster Priory were also located. The castle was usedat the time and continues to be as a prison. It was also a place of execution which was a very common punishment even for what would b considered to day minor offenes. Until 1835 the pupils were permitted, before morning prayers, to see the morning executions at Hanging Corner on Castle Parade. It was believed that warching people die from hanging, which could take some time, would have a bnbeficial impact on the boys, presumably make them more law obiding. The hangings did not end in 1835, but the boys were no longer encouraged to watch. ["Brief history"]
Queen Victoria added "Royal" to the nam o the school in 1851. The school moved from its centuries old site in 1853. A New School building opened in 1853 on East Road on the opposite sise of the City. It cost £3,000. The ols site could not accompdate the groing number of boys and the location near the priory could not be expanded. The public was also concerned about the boys playing in the adjoining cemetary. I'm not sure what the concern was, but one source says it was sanitary. The school swiming baths were completed in 1884 and a gymnasium in 1885. ["Brief history"]
Modern games emerge in the 19th century. The first cricket match between boarders and day boys were noted in 1854. An open athletic event was held in 1866. The first Rugby Match with Preston Grammar School was held in 1872. ["Brief history"]
The school in 1865 operated 30 hours per week for 38 - 39 weeks of the year. There were 159 boys. ["Brief history"] A HBC reader has provided us a perspectus from the 1860s which provide some interesting insights about the school, including the fees. Boys who attended the school in the 19th century would have been middle class boys from affluent families. One working-class boy, William Whewell (1794-1866) whose father was a carpenter had to be offered a free education by Joseph Rowley master of the school. Many boys were the sons of mercahants or tradesmen, like Sir Richard Own (1804-92). England did not have free state secondary schools until after World War II. Boys from well to do families attended public (exclusive private) schools. Boys from middle class families of more modest means might attend grammar schoosl. The academic program consisted of Greek, Latin, classical composition, French, German, mathematics, and the principles of mensuration (mathematics dealing with measurement), history and geograpghy (ancient and modern), and writing. At LRGS the fees in 1860-61 were 40 guineas (a pound plus a shilling) per annum for a boy under 10 years of age and 45 guineas for a boy over 10 years. Brothers were given a special rate of 40 guineas. Boarding was 35 guineas, but only 20 guineas for weekly boarders. Washing and mending was 15 shillings per quarter. Extra charges were for drawing, dancing, drilling ("if desired"), and books ("previously approved by the parents"). Examinations took place at the end of each half year and at mid-summer. Prizes were awarded by examiners appointed by the town council. The participation of the town council suggests a kind of quasi-public status for the school even though it was a fee-paying institution.
A Preparatory department was established in 1912 to educate boys from age 8 until they were old enough at 11 or 12 to go to the main school. The prep deapartment, however, was closed in 1939. A second New School Building was completed in 1929 for the new library. A collection of stuffed birds lined the corridors in glass cages. His Majesty King George VI, the Duke of Lancaster, Her Majesty the Queen, and Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret paid a visit to the school in 1951 on the hundredth anniversary of the grant of the title “Royal” to the school by Queen Victoria. [Brief history"] Unlike many grammar schools in the 1970s, LRGS did not become a comprehensive. LRGS is today a state voluntary aided 11-18 selective school of 975 boys including 160 boarders and 270 in the sixth form.
Author unknown, "A brief history of Lancaster Royal Grammar School".
Related Chronolgy Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
[The 11th century]
[The 12th century]
[The 13th century]
[The 14th century]
[The 15th century]
[The 16th century]
[The 17th century]
[The 18th century]
[The 19th century]
[The 20th century]
Related Style Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
[Long pants suits]
[Short pants suits]
[Socks]
[Eton suits]
[Jacket and trousers]
[Blazer]
[School sandals]
