SCHOOLS 



In 1717 Aspinall had intimated his intention of resigning the mastership, and the college 

 proposed to appoint Robert Barker, a fellow of New College, LL.D., admitted as founder's kin 

 at Winchester in 1708 and grandson of a former scholar and fellow. In a letter to Barker, 

 13 December, Aspinall congratulates the school on his appointment — 'you will be an honour and 

 ornament to our town ; and I wish that our Corporation may do something worthy of such a very 

 deserving gentleman.' 



He informs him as to the state of the school. 



There are about twenty-six scholars belonging to it, for you must know that endeavours have 

 been made to thin the schole, but I hope now that some who causelessly went away will 

 return again. 



Almost half of that number pay ; the rate is I od. a quarter for every one that cannot pretend 

 to the charity of the donor. The poor children only can lay claim to that. All the rest pay, and 

 I have met with several that have been backward in that respect. The children under the 

 usher pay to the master ; tho' I have conveyed one-third part according to the original settle- 

 ment to Mr. Rogers ; but he never knew on what account it came. I desire you would say 

 nothing about it. 



Rogers was the usher. In November the warden or some fellow, and Dobson a fellow, 

 afterwards warden, went to Bedford to try and get the corporation to behave properly in the 

 matter of salary. They * invited Mr. Mayor to drink a glass of wine and desired him to propose 

 to his brethren an augmentation.' They were informed that about thirty years before, in 1687, 

 the corporation had 



granted a new lease to Mr. Barton (he having first bribed them with sums of money given to some 

 and drink to all) for 50 years, to commence after the 20 years then remaining in the old lease . . . 

 only advancing the reserved rent from £,^g per annum to £1^0, tho' the estate then let for ;£300 per 

 annum, while Mr. Barton gave ^£5000 for the remaining 20 years of the old lease. We were then 

 also informed that the estate will be worth to the Corporation when the present lease is expired which 

 will be 40 years hence [1757] X'OjOOO P^r annum. 



Apparently, however, the corporation would do nothing. Barker, not liking the prospect, 

 withdrew. 



Aspinall resigned 4 January, 17x7-18, The college appointed Matthew Priaulx, a 

 fellow of the college, son of the rector of Rusper, Sussex, who had been admitted scholar of 

 Winchester 24 August, 1705, of New College 17 June, 1712, and was about twenty-four 

 years old. 



Whether stirred by greed or by political prejudice, or annoyed that New College should try to 

 interfere on behalf of the master's pay, or for what cause it is hard to explain, it is certain that 

 from the moment of Aspinall's resignation the town determined to resist the rights of New College 

 and to assert the patronage of the school for themselves. The first note of the struggle which 

 ensued, and lasted for ten years, was given by a letter from the usher Rogers, 16 January, 1717, to 

 Priaulx, ' or in his absence the Warden,' Dr. Cobb. He said the corporation openly insisted on 

 their right to present the master, and had offered the post, as he was informed ' by a particular friend, 

 a chirurgeon,' to a neighbouring clergyman. 



Last night at dark the Chamberlains with some more of the body came hither . . furnished 

 with padlocks, two of which were fastened upon the doors of the schole house . . . went to 

 the brew house and finding the key on the doore locked it and carryd it with them ; here lye 

 my coals, brewing vessels and some goods of the Aspinalls. From thence they went to the schole and 

 one of the doors (that next the street) being locked and bolted they fastened a padlock on that 

 next the house. Notwithstanding ... I forced a way into the schole this morning ... I 

 have heard nothing from them this day. If I cannot get into the scholl I will (God willing) 

 teach them above . . . The corporacion oiFer me so much a week for teaching the boys til the 

 affair is^ settled, and make great show of kindness ; but I am resolved to have nothing to do with these 

 sons of violence. 



Meanwhile Priaulx had arrived at Bedford. The corporation agam padlocked the door, but 

 the usher opened a back door, let in Priaulx, gave him the keys and possession. The corporation 

 then told him they had the right of presentation, and that they were resolved to stand it out with 

 the college ; that they were a rich body and would not be persuaded out of their privileges by any 

 college in Europe. On 23 January, 17 17-18, the corporation on production of the presentation of 

 * Mr. Matthew Pryox * determined to enter a caveat in the ecclesiastical court against his 

 being given a licence. On 23 January Priaulx wrote to the college that the padlocks had been 

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