FOUNDED 1863. INCORPORATED 1893. 95623 RECORD SERIES. VOL. XXVII. FOR THE YEAR 1898. EARLY YORKSHIRE SCHOOLS. VOL. I. York. Beverley. Ripon. BY ARTHUR FRANCIS LEACH, M.A., F.S.A. Formerly Fellow of All Souls' College, Oxford. PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY. LONDON: PRINTED BY J. B. NICHOLS AND SONS, PARLIAMENT MANSIONS, ORCHARD STREET, VICTORIA STREET, S.W. EARLY YORKSHIRE SCHOOLS, VOL. I. YORK, BEVERLEY, AND RIPON. IT T is strange that so little attention has been paid by archæological societies to the history of our ancient schools institutions which are as ancient and have been more lasting and more useful than any of the other institutions which have attracted the attention of antiquaries. Like the collegiate churches, the chantries, and the monasteries, most of these ancient schools were submerged in the great revolutionary deluge we call the Reformation; but, unlike them, though many were swept away altogether, most of them escaped, and many of them, refitted and repaired from time to time, have floated proudly ever since. In no part of the country can more ancient schools, or schools with a more interesting history be found than in Yorkshire. It is the aim of this and succeeding volumes to present the original documents bearing on the history of these schools; primarily on the pre-Reformation and Reformation history. But the scope of the volumes is not confined to that period. In some cases the history will be carried down to the reign of James I.; and, in view of the complete misunderstanding which exists as to the period of the great civil war, documents throwing light on the state of schools up to the reign of Anne will be included. It is intended to treat all the ancient schools in the county so far as possible in order of the date of their foundation. By date of foundation is meant not their commonly reputed or legal foundation, a matter on which no opinion is expressed, but the earliest date of their actual and historical existence. By ancient is meant any school the existence of which, whether in proveable continuity with an existing |