Winchester College is a very prestigious establishment…not your average comprehensive, that’s for sure! If you go to this link you’ll learn of the very long and interesting history that comes with the college. And you’ll find a great many illustrations, including the below….which suggests to me that someone needs to get to work cleaning away the green mould. Or is my ignorance showing and it’s left that way as a mark of venerable age?
That venerable age began during the reign of Richard II, when one William of Wykham/Wykeham/Wickham, Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor, founded New College, Oxford in 1379. He then petitioned the Pope Urban VI to found a college for 70 scholars near Winchester. The Bishop had already established a Winchester residence for poor boys in 1369 and employed a schoolmaster there four years later. (No poor boys there now!) Winchester College was founded in 1382.
William was also the Clerk of Works responsible for the transformation, enlarging and improving of Windsor Castle for Edward III. His rise to prominence took him across the path of none other than Richard II’s powerful self-important uncle, John of Gaunt, who did his best to bring William down, but failed. William outlived Gaunt.
Anyway, go to the above link to read the Country Life article in full.
And finally, here is one of my silly memories. Some time ago, when I was part of a quiz team, one of the questions was “What are pupils at Winchester College called?” I knew the answer but my memory was selective even then and I couldn’t remember! Infuriating, especially as it lost us the quiz. The answer? They’re Wykhamists! Remember that if you happen to be taking part in a quiz! 🙄
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