Gents Mag 1831 part 1 p.303

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	Gentleman's Magazine 1831 part 1 p.303 the year 1587, by Edmund Grindall,* Archbishop of Canterbury. Over the door of the school is the date 1583, as there is likewise on the battlements of the bridge leading to the school, with the arms, so that it is probable that the school house was built in that year, though the school was not fully established till afterwards. The benevolent founder obtained letters patent from Queen Elizabeth, dated 24 April, 1583; and on 3d of July, he solemnly delivered and published the Statutes for the regulation of the school, in the presence of eight witnesses. During the life of the founder, certain lands called Palmer's Fields, at Croydon in the County of Surrey, of the value of 50l. per annum, were purchased in the names of the Governors. This estate was afterwards improperly leased for 1000 years, without fine or premium to the school! King James considerably increased the revenues of the school, and several patents were granted and Acts of Parliament passed in its favour, so that the present annual value of its lands is supposed to be at least 8000l. while the income arising from them to the school is stated to be less than 100l. The royalty of Saint Bees still belongs to the school, and a court is yearly held at the school house. To the school is attached a good library, which has been greatly improved at various periods by Sir Joseph Williamson, Secretary of State to Charles II. Dr. Lamplugh, Archbishop of York, Bishop Barlow, Bishop Smith, the Earl of Lonsdale, &c. - By the Statutes only the inhabitants of Cumberland and Westmoreland are eligible for instruction here, but custom has rendered it the same as if free to every county in England; every scholar making a yearly offering to the master, according to his ability, which is termed "Cock-Penny." The master is to be a native of Cumberland, Westmoreland, Yorkshire, or Lancashire, and is nominated by the provost of Queen's, or in default by the master of Pembroke-hall. There have been between 150 and 200 scholars at one time. The present Governors are the Earl of Lonsdale, John Fox, D.D. Provost of Queen's College, Oxford, ex officio, the Rev. Mr. Scott, Rectorof Egremont, ex officio, and four others. The School has been long in a declining state, and probably at the present time has a smaller number of scholars than it ever had. Time will best show the cause of this, when under other care it may again attain its pristine celebrity. Its present condition, however, must be lamented by every friend of literature, but especially by those who knew it as the scene of their youthful days, - by those now occupying situations of rank and affluence, for which they were fitted within its walls. ‡ GEORGE C. TOMLINSON.
	* It may not be improper to mention that Archbishop Grindall is the Algrind of Spenser, by transposition of the letters of his name. He was born in Hensingham near Saint Bees in 1519, died in 1583, and was buried in the chancel of Croydon Church in the county of Surrey, where there is a monument to his memory. - See Biog. Brit. † See Carlisle's Endowed Grammar Schools, vol.I. ‡ Since the above was written, a new Master has been appointed to the School, in the person of Rev. John Fox, M.A. of Queens' College, Oxford, the nephew of the worthy Provost.
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