The Founder-The Original Charter-State of Learning in England-The first BuildingsThe Charter, Statutes, and College Arms-First Members of the College take Possession -Life of King Henry the Sixth-William Waynflete-Archbishop RotherhamBishop West, Judge Conyngsby, &c. -Collegers and Oppidans-Master Paston at Eton -His Latin Verses, and his Letter to his Brother-Eton's Peril under Edward the Fourth-Saved by Provost Westbury-Was Henry the Seventh an Etonian ? FEW periods of English history are so little inviting to a thought less reader as the reign of King Henry the Sixth. The first portion of it presents to our notice a series of defeats and humiliations abroad; the latter part supplies the confused narrative of a savage civil war at home. Yet, the personal character of the sovereign, whose reign was thus troubled and calamitous, is well deserving the attentive study of all, who esteem goodness more than greatness. And, when wearied with the ever recurring features of the rabble of crowned conquerors who fill so large a space in every historian's pages, the mind may gladly repose in the contemplation of the meek and much-suffering Henry of Windsor. He was the truest Christian gentleman that ever sat upon a throne. His way of life was neither sullied by cruelty, nor polluted by vice, nor debased by meanness. He bore without arrogance, and without repining, the extremes of good and evil fortune. He loved religion, wisdom, and mercy, with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his strength. He devoted himself earnestly and reverently to the high and princely task of diffusing the blessings of education among those who sometimes were his subjects, but whom he always cherished as his fellow-countrymen and his fellow-Christians. B The fact that Henry the Sixth was the founder of Eton College, is of itself, if carefully considered, sufficient to make his reign an epoch of national interest, not only to Etonians, who gratefully revere the "Piam Memoriam," but to all who bear in mind the influence which this great public school has exercised over the hundreds and thousands of Englishmen, whose education was received within her walls. For four centuries Eton has given this country a bright and unfailing supply of "men duly qualified to serve God in Church and State." She has for four centuries been the nursing mother and the shelter of statesmen, generals, philosophers, poets, orators, judges, and divines; of Пpoμaxot in every struggle for intellectual eminence, and in all the nobler conflicts of active life. I may be permitted to hope that the following recapitulation of the most distinguished of those who have received their education, or borne office within her walls, may serve as some slight memorial of honour to Eton. At any rate it will be a mark of one Etonian's grateful recollections. Our Royal Founder was born on the 6th of December, A.D. 1421. The 6th of December is the Saint's day of St. Nicholas, which was the cause of Henry's dedicating his Colleges to that Saint, as well as to the Blessed Virgin. On the last day of August, 1422, while yet an infant nine months old, he became, by the death of his father Henry the Fifth, King of England; and the death of Charles the Sixth of France, in the October of the next year, gave Henry the Sixth the title of King of France; the greater part of which country was then actually subject to the English dominion. Henry's childhood and early youth were chiefly passed at Windsor Castle, where he had been born. His uncles, during his infancy, held the regencies of England and France, while the personal care and education of the young king were entrusted to his great uncle, the Bishop of Winchester, better known by his subsequent title of Cardinal Beaufort. The terrific scene which Shakespeare has drawn of the Cardinal's death-bed (though wholly imaginary) has almost inseparably connected his name, in our minds, with the idea of the blackest guilt. But even if we believed the charges brought against him in other respects, we must admit that he fulfilled his duty towards his royal pupil with exemplary fidelity and care. The young king became a ripe and good scholar in all the learning |