A HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 



Already at the beginning of the seventeenth century the statutory 

 stipend of the head master seems to have become insufficient, as Edward 

 Wager, appointed in 1596, and suspended on 24 January, 1600,^ was a 

 minor canon of the cathedral. One of the same name, probably the same 

 man, was vicar of Peterborough from 1557 to 1604. The reason for 

 Wager's suspension is not stated. On 14 July following he resigned 

 his ' ingagement ' and trusted that it would please the dean and chapter 

 to appoint his ' friend Mr. Edward Morrey to succeed ' at his humble 

 intreaty. Mr. Morrey was appointed. He died in 1605 and in his will 

 describes, himself as 'Master of the Free School of Peterborough.' 

 Mr. Humfrey Rowe, who in 1607 also became a minor canon, suc- 

 ceeded. That the dean and chapter at this time did really look after 

 the school is shown by their dismissing the usher, Mr. Read, for being 

 ' very negligent in the attendance at that place,' while they appointed 

 Mr. Robert Thurlbye head master at first only on probation, and he was 

 not appointed permanently till 1614. He became also vicar of Peter- 

 borough and lecturer at the cathedral, and died in 1628. Mr. Thurlbye 

 assisted ' in turning out one of the ' famous men ' of Peterborough, 

 Edward Rainbow, dean of Peterborough in 1661 and afterwards bishop 

 of Carlisle. The next master, William Dixon by name, 1628-36, was 

 also a lecturer at the cathedral. 



The civil war seems to have made no difference to the school. 

 Under James Wildbore, 1636-46, and Thomas Wright, 1646-9, it 

 contributed its quota to the university. When deans and chapters were 

 abolished by Act dated 30 April, 1649, Parliament was careful to insert 

 a saving clause in favour of the schools, recited in an ordinance of Pro- 

 tector Oliver Cromwell, made 15 February, 1654.* All the revenues 

 ' which before December, 1641, had been or ought to have been paid for 

 the maintenance of any Grammar School or scholars, or towards the 

 reparation of any almshouse, or for any other charitable use, should be 

 and continue to be paid and allowed as they were.' Hence a report 

 among the chapter muniments, stating that there is a schoolhouse lying 

 in the minster close, but 'no dwelling-house or land is thereto belonging 

 or appertaining,' which suggests that the master was always a minor 

 canon or otherwise provided for as an ecclesiastic, and housed in that 

 capacity. Not only did the school go on, but Francis Standish, the 

 master, received * an augmentation of ^zo 1 3J. 4^., and John Berry, the 

 usher, a similar increase of £^\ a year. Standish sent boys to St. 

 John's College, Cambridge. At the Restoration, Richard Bonworth 

 or Bunworth was appointed. Two years afterwards, 16 July, 1662, 

 it was ordered at a chapter meeting that he should hold the said place 

 no longer than Lady Day next, and should have notice of the order 



' Chapter Act Book. Fletcher, under date. 



' As he became a king's scholar at Westminster at the age of 1 2, Peterborough's share in this was 

 not great. 



' Ordinances and Proclamations, 1653-6, C. 24, a collection in the library of the Society of Anti- 

 quaries, p. 721. 



' Aud. Off. Declared Accts. bdle. 367, roll 3. 



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