Matthew Henry Peacock Of the Free Grammar School of Queen Elizabeth at Wakefield, Founded A. D. 1591

Annotation

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. The following pages represent an attempt to give a plain and unadorned record of what may be considered to be of greatest interest and importance in the History of this School. They have been put together at spasmodic intervals, when a busy Schoolmaster, in these exacting years at the close of the bustling nineteenth century, has found a few available leisure hours after his School duties have been accomplished.<br><br>About six years ago my attention was drawn to the Kennett MSS. in the British Museum, where may be found much of the early history of the School, and a copy of its Statutes, all carefully transcribed from the books of the Governors by Bishop White Kennett during a visit to Wakefield in July, 1724.<br><br>From this foundation the superstructure has been raised, by the assistance of the Governors of the School, and the kind help of many friends and acquaintances, some of whom would have executed the work in a far more efficient manner, as they would have been able to draw from a much greater store of antiquarian knowledge, and have employed a much abler pen.<br><br>Foremost amongst these must be mentioned the Rev. J. H. Lupton, M.A., Sur-Master of S. Paul's School, and author of Wakefield Worthies, without whose encouragement this book would hardly have been attempted, and upon whose aid I have always been able to count. I have also to acknowledge the stimulus given to all my efforts by Mr. J. W. Walker, F.S.A., the author of The Cathedral Church of Wakefield, who has carefully read over the proof-sheets, and supplied me with many useful details. Mr. J. H. Wice, lately Spokesman of the Governors, has also put me and my readers under an obligation by undertaking a similar task of revision.