SCHOOLS 



the teaching of children at the ' Free scolle ' under Mr. Saunderson. If 

 it could not be obtained at the bishop's hands, ' then yt ys agreed that 

 Saunderson shall provide a sufficient ussher, and he to have zos. a 

 quarter paide hym oute of the chambre of the town to wards his main- 

 tenance.' As on 20 February, 1589-90, the vicarage of St. Mary's was 

 annexed to that of All Saints' it is to be presumed that the bishop of Peter- 

 borough did not approve its annexation to the school. The usher 

 had to wait for an endowment till Paul Wentworth, by deed of 

 29 January, 1677, gave a rent charge of ^^20 a year on his estate in 

 Lillingstone Dayrell, Bucks, for the maintenance ' of a sufficient usher to 

 be from time to time assistant to the Master of the School in teaching the 

 Latin tongue there, and also to teach the scholars there good writing and 

 arithmetic' In a 'terrier' of the town madeMn 1586 the schoolhouse is 

 thus described : ' The towne hathe and holdeth one Schoole house called 

 Saint Gregorie's house, and Mr. Saunderson holdeth one garden at 

 the end of the same Schoole house.' The master had let another 

 garden, and held a house with a garden belonging to the free school 

 lying ' over againste Thomas Craswell conteyninge by estimacion five 

 bays.' Playground for the boys there seems at that time to have been 

 none; but in 1605, when the school was repaired by the corporation, we 

 hear of a school yard, the walls about it being mended and doors with 

 latches provided, so that the yard could be shut up every night after 

 sunset. 



Simon Wastell is the next master mentioned, being granted in 1607 

 the freedom of the town at the reduced entrance fee of ^i, ' at his earnest 

 wish and for some special respects.' In 161 2 he was granted the same 

 allowance for an usher, £^ a year, as had been granted to Mr. Saunder- 

 son. On 15 December, 1631, he was pensioned 'in respect of his 

 weakness and sickness wherebye he is unable to supplie his place,' i.e. to 

 do his duty. He therefore ' doeth give way ' for the choice of a new 

 schoolmaster ' provided he may have the profits thereto belonging while 

 he liveth.' The Recorder, the ' Town Counsel,' Mr. Lane,'' and the 

 minister of All Saints' were accordingly directed to look out for 

 another master. Wastell died before the appointment of his successor, 

 and was buried 31 January, 1631— 2. On 16 April, 1632, Daniel Rogers, 

 M.A., was appointed in his place. In 1634 he had apparently let the 

 school down in numbers, as the payment for an usher, then £%, was 

 ordered to cease, though it was renewed again next year. Dissatisfaction 

 was further evidenced in 1640 by the schoolmaster being ordered to 

 repair his house at his own expense instead of that of the chamber. 

 Next year he received notice to quit. ' There shall be a new school 

 master thought upon for the towne ' before Lady Day and ' Mr. Rogers 

 in the mean tyme shall provide for himself otherwise.' Shortly after- 

 wards it was agreed that Mr. Martin, minister of Horton, elected master 

 of the free school, ' should not be debarred from the execution of his 

 ministerial office, notwithstanding any previous order to the contrary.' 



' Borough Records, ii, 155. ' Afterwards, as Sir Richard Lane, Lord Keeper. 



237 



