SCHOOLS 



posed to control him, that the depressing effects began to be felt of a 

 headmaster practically possessed of a freehold, and continuing in office 

 long after age and custom had spoilt his efficiency. 



Though the master was inferior to the fellows in status as regards 

 the terms of his tenure, he was in fact the next person to the warden, 

 and in matters of teaching supreme. His allowance for commons was 

 a shilling a week, his livery eight yards of cloth, the same as that of the 

 sub-warden and fellows, while the chaplains had only six yards and the 

 usher five yards. In hall he sat at the high table with the warden and 

 sub-warden, and ranked above the three or four senior fellows who were 

 allowed to share it, the other fellows sitting at a side table. Last, but 

 not least, his salary, 10 a year, though only half that of the warden 

 (20), was double that of a fellow (>Cs)- He had moreover other 

 profits. He was indeed absolutely forbidden ' to exact, ask or claim 

 anything from any of the Scholars aforesaid, their parents, or friends, for 

 his labour spent, or to be spent, on or about the said Scholars, in, or 

 because of, their instruction before-mentioned.' But no such embargo 

 was imposed as to the ten commoners, from whom no doubt from the 

 first he took toll ; while, as we have seen, there were other boys attending 

 the school who of course had to pay fees. The school was a free school 

 only to the scholars. The charge for others did not perhaps exceed the 

 8</. a term authorized by the statutes of Oxford University in the four- 

 teenth century, 1 and the statutes 2 of Ipswich Grammar School in 1482. 

 But zs. 8d. a year, multiplied by eighty, would make the very comfort- 

 able little sum of 10 ys. ^d. There would be in addition entrance fees 

 (probably 4^.), and presents at Christmas and Shrove Tuesday. 



The Hostarius was a much less exalted personage. His name no doubt 

 is derived, not from his really keeping the door, but from the ecclesi- 

 astical personage of that name who in primitive times did keep the door, 

 and was later identified with the parish clerk, who often performed the 

 function of an elementary teacher. The statutes provided that ' in the 

 College under the Master Teacher, is to be another instructor likewise 

 hired and removable, to be appointed by the Warden and Fellows, 

 sufficiently learned in grammar,' but previous experience in teaching was 

 not required of him. He was ' diligently to assist the Master in the 

 premises, and supply his place in his absence.' His commons were the 

 same as those of the fellows and chaplains, 1 2</., his livery was only five 

 yards of cloth, and in hall he sat with the chaplains, ranking next below 

 them. His stipend however was five marks (3 6s. 8*/.), or one mark 

 more than the chaplains (2 i%s. 4</.). He was evidently considered 

 merely the master's assistant, as in the second account roll his salary is 

 entered thus : * For the stipend of Mr. Thomas of Romsey, Master 

 Teacher of the Scholars, and of John Huet, his Usher of the School, 

 yearly 13 6s. %d. ; of which for the Usher 66s. $d.' 



A master and usher for seventy boys, supposing them to divide 



1 Munimenta Academics, Rolls Series II. p. 377 seq. from A. f. 44, B. f. 38. 

 * Ipswich Legacies (1747), p. 104. 

 JI 281 36 



