Education in England in the Middle Ages: Thesis Approved for the Degree of Doctor of Science in the University of LondonParry, Albert William
History
Education in England in the Middle Ages: Thesis Approved for the Degree of Doctor of Science in the University of London
Parry, Albert William
Education -- England -- History; Education, Medieval
A most important and noteworthy feature of some chantries is, that in
certain parishes they were founded by the inhabitants themselves, for the
express purpose of providing educational facilities. We do not imply that
the religious element was lacking, or that the doctrine of the efficacy of
prayer for the departed was lightly held. In all probability, the
religious motive was a strong impelling force. For our present purpose,
the significant fact is, that in certain communities some of the
inhabitants founded chantries with the provision of facilities for
education as the expressed object. We have been able to trace the origin
of the following schools to the action of the inhabitants, but it is not
claimed that the list is exhaustive.
Aldeborough. Wragby.
Basingstoke. Bridgenorth.
Deritend. East Retford.
Eccleshall. Lancaster.
Eye. Truro.
Gargrave. Coggeshall.
Northallerton. Thaxted.
Odiham. Prittlewell.
Staunton. Berkhampstead.
Thirsk.
We may now consider the establishment of typical cases.
BASINGSTOKE.
The school at Basingstoke was founded "by the decision of the inhabitantes
at the begynnyng."[472] Apparently, the inhabitants of the town had formed
themselves into a gild called the "Brotherhood of the Holy Ghost" for this
special purpose. Their school can be traced back to 1244, and is the
earliest school of which at present we have any knowledge, whose origin
may be attributed to the enterprise of the inhabitants.
NORTHALLERTON.
This school existed before 1321, as is evidenced by the fact that in that
year the master was appointed to the school by the prior of Durham.[473]
It was founded by "certen well disposed persones--for the better bringinge
up of the children of the towne."[474]
DERITEND.
The existence of this school can be traced back as far as 1448, and is due
to the enterprise of "the inhabitans of the same hamlet cauled
Deretende."[475]
LANCASTER.
The first available reference to a school at Lancaster occurs in a deed in
the priory chartulary which dates from the reign of Henry III.[476] The
school was "ordeyned and founded by the Mayor and burgesses of
Lancaster."[477]
ALDEBOROUGH.
"Having no foundacion but presented by certain feoffees of severall landes
gyven by syndry persons of the said paroch."[478]
ECCLESHALL.
"The enhabitants of Eccleshall did among themselfes, without
incorporacion, erect two Gyylds ... and one of the same priestes have
alwais kept a scole and taught pore mens children of the same parishe
freely."[479]
EAST RETFORD.
"Founded by the predecessors of the bailiffs, burgesses, and Commywalts of
the said towne."[480]
GARGRAVE.
"Founded by the inhabitants there."[481]
ODEHAM.
"Founded of the devocion of the inhabitantes ... to the intente to teche
children gramer."[482]
STAUNTON.
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