SCHOOLS 



The Long Butts acquired the name of Bowling Green because in 16312, 

 when it was described as ' waste ground, now full of gravel pitts,' it was let 

 by the corporation to Allen Kilminster for forty-one years at a shilling a year, 

 he undertaking to fence it and level it and make it ' good and fitt for a 

 Bowling ground and permitt the Mayer and Burgesses to bowl there at all 

 convenient times.' From that time it was known as the Bowling Green. 



In the result it was not till 2 August, 1860, that a scheme was approved 

 by the Master of the Rolls for what the court, ignoring the real founder, 

 was pleased to call Dame Joan Cooke's Charity. A schedule attached to the 

 scheme showed in parallel columns the value of the property in 1550 and in 

 1859: 



1550 1859 



Poddesmead Manor and lands, and lands ' * ' * ' <* 



in Hempsted and Elmore .... 13 6 8 545 o o 



Messuage Westgate Street, let in 1830 



for 40 years 080 11810 500* 



Badgeworth 283 89 68 



Bcntham in Badgeworth, let in 1838 for 



31 years 568 6l 16 O 140 O O l 



Little Witcombe 57 o o 



755 i 6 



It will be noticed how absurdly under the mark is the common estimate 

 of twenty times the value for estimating the value of money in Henry VIII 

 and Edward VI's reign and now. A rental, excluding the house, in 

 Gloucester of rural land of 21 is. yd. had grown to 753 3 J - 8<, and 

 should have been, but for an improvident long lease, 831, or practically 

 forty times the amount. The fact is, those figures of twelve and twenty 

 times are taken from estimates now nearly 100 years old, and to bring them 

 to anything like approximate values now must be doubled, even as regards 

 agricultural land ; while, when it is a question of land in or near towns, or in 

 mining or manufacturing districts, they must be multiplied ten-fold or 

 twenty-fold. 



In the scheme a body of 17 trustees was appointed, who were directed to 

 apply the whole income to the support of the school, except 78 a year to 

 St. Bartholomew's Hospital, and 80 a year to the corporation for repair of 

 the bridge and causeway between Gloucester and Over. The Court was 

 more enlightened than the citizens in its ideas as to what it cost to maintain 

 an adequate teaching staff. The head master was to have not less than 100 

 nor more than 300 a year salary, and 2 a year capitation fees up to 100 

 boys, and i a year beyond. The second master was to have only ' not less 

 than 5> nor more than 150 a year,' with capitation fees of i up to 100 

 boys, and IQJ. over that number. In the summer of 1861 the school was 

 reopened as a day-school only, residences for the head and second masters, 

 private houses bought for the purpose, adjoining. There was one large 

 schoolroom for about 120 boys, two classrooms, and a room for drawing. 

 It was to give an education which, on paper, differed not at all from that 

 given by the College School, the subjects of instruction including Greek, 

 Latin, French, German, English, mathematics, and history. The tuition fees 



1 Estimated value on expiry of leases. 

 351 



