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for searching only. CHAPTER XVI
THE WESTMINSTER ADAPTATION OF THE ETON
SYSTEM UNDER QUEEN ELIZABETH
THE CURRICULUM of Eton Westminster adopted with only slight changes in routine and in subjects -for construction. In 156o, Dr. William Bill, Dean of Westminster, provided a new set of statutes for Westminster. Then Dr. Gabriel Goodman succeeded Dr. Bill in 1561, and continued these special statutes, noting that they were, "Very like the Orders used in Eton and Winchester Schools."1 Since Dr. Bill had become fellow and provost of Eton in 1559, it is not surprising that he should have used the curriculum of this school as a model for that at Westminster. It has been supposed that a very full curriculum for Westminster is the one established by Dr. Bill in 156o and continued by Dr. Goodman in 1561; but it will appear from our examination that this is not the case.
The Library of the University of Illinois possesses a copy of a copy of the Statutes for Westminster which Sir William Cecil under date of July 4, 1568, directed to either Christ Church in Oxford or Trinity in Cambridge, his covering letter being directed to both. Cecil is calling their attention to certain provisions as to scholars which it is alleged they are failing to observe.' This copy is earlier than that which Leach reprints from the Cathedral Commission Report of 1854 as from Pat. Eliz. pt xi,' and differs from it in numerous details. For instance, "qui sit presbyter et concionator" is not put in as a qualification of the Dean; but for the Prebendaries is added, "ad minimum Magistri artium." Nor is there provision for a "Lector theologiae unus." There are only twenty-seven for the daily service, instead of twenty-nine, since there are only five presbyteri instead of six, and the teacher of the choristers is one of the twelve clerici. There is, however, at the end of the copy another Proportio, which gives these details as in Leach, indicating that these changes had occurred before the copy was made in 1568. This change and enlargement after the original statutes c. 156o is noticeable throughout, and is especially marked in the curriculum of the grammar school.
The Westminster statutes provide that the election should begin
Strype, 4nnals (1725), Vol. II, Appendix, p. 113.
2 39r; cf. Sargeaunt, J., 4nnals of Westminster School, pp. 57 if. 8 Leach, Educational Charters, pp. 496 if.
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