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Cathedral School,
Carlisle
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CATHEDRAL SCHOOLS.
(Continued from Part I. p.418.)
CARLISLE CATHEDRAL.
Crosby-square August 16.
Mr. URBAN,
OF all the English Cathedrals the Church of Carlisle seems
to have presented the most barren field for Antiquarian
research; and the more recent history of the Choristers is
so unsatisfactory, that I enter upon the subject with
considerable reluctance. We are informed that a community of
Christians, including a School, was settled at Carlisle
before the close of the seventh century; and this Foundation
was elevated to a Bishopric by Henry I. As to the School,
the immediate object of this enquiry, we can only trace its
existence from being incidentally mentioned in the Valuation
of Pope Nicholas; whence we learn that the Church of Dalston
was charged with an annual payment for its support.
This Cathedral,during the middle ages, was a Priory of
Augustine Canons; and at the Dissolution was re-endowed by
Henry VIII. for a Dean, Archdeacon, four Prebendaries, and
eight Minor Canons, with Lay Clerks, Choristers, and
Schoolmasters; agreeing in all essential points with other
ecclesiastical establishments by the same founder.
The Royal Grammar School, if it be still in existence, is
not of sufficient importance to be noticed in the local
Histories of the City and Cathedral; and it is, doubtless,
from the same cause that the Musick School has likewise
escaped observation; and little information can be collected
beyond the following general outline:
The Choristers, six in number, are chosen by the Dean and
Chapter. They have occasional lessons in singing from the
organist; but whether they receive any other instructions,
literary, moral, or religious, and in what manner they
usually settle in life, I have vainly endeavoured to learn.
Perhaps some of your Correspondents residing in Caralisle
may favour our Readers with a communication on the subject.
M.H.
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