I attended a VERY OLD school; in fact one of the world's OLDEST.
The medieval building on the right, with the buttresses, is where I spent 4 years of my formative life between the ages of 14 and 18. It is claimed to be 'The Oldest Residential Building in Europe'. The official foundation date of the school is given as 970; making it 1041 years old. In fact it dates back much further but details are scratchy. In 1970 they did away with a thousand years of male-only tradition, and decided to take in GIRLS (Damn; why didn't they do that during my time!!).
Note that there are very few chimneys on the building. In the winter water would freeze in bedside glasses, and any mention (by us) of comfort was regarded as just plain 'girlie'. Frankly I'm amazed we didn't all end up with hypothermia.
Since my days this particular building has been given a complete re-vamp, and no doubt they now have central heating and comfy chairs. I don't suppose that boys are whacked any more either, or even given the painfully time-consuming punishments that we were forced to endure. Life at school was pretty rustic in my day, but it was also wonderful. I wouldn't have changed a thing. Anyone who's seen the 1968 film 'If' (with Malcolm McDowell), will have witnessed exactly how life was at my old school (except for the killings). Latin speakers will also be able to tell where this was; otherwise I'm not saying!
Strangely, Tom Stephenson has also just posted a piece about his schooldays; under a similar title. His piece concerned his battle with school uniforms, a subject about which I think the Education Hierarchy should focus much more attention.
ReplyDeleteCro, this was so interesting to me..can you imagine our country is only 200 years old..nothing absolutely nothing can compare to your buildings...absolutley wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThat's really why I posted this, Carole. We become over complacent about such things in Europe; we shouldn't be.
ReplyDeleteDid you ever trundle the hoop?
ReplyDeleteActually, I went to Hogwarts, but I'm not allowed to tell anybody.
ReplyDeleteOh dear Sue... So you know all about these bizarre goings on. In my day it was done INSIDE the cathedral. And no, I wasn't eligible. You had to wear a red gown; I just wore black.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful old building. Here in Canada we think we have done wonders if we have a building pushing 200. Tell me, was it haunted?
ReplyDeleteOnly if you believe in ghosts; which I don't! There was supposed to have been a monk walled-up somewhere, but I think there ALWAYS is in old monastic buildings; it's standard fare.
ReplyDeleteI'm old enough now to not DISBELIEVE anything.
ReplyDeleteSTOP PRESS: It's 2.20 pm, and the first of the returning cranes have just flown overhead on their way back north. What a fabulous sight, and what a fabulous sound!
ReplyDeleteSigh. So romantic. I went to high school in an old prairie style, of sorts, building built in the early 1960s. Very American.
ReplyDeleteCro, I have to be to differ on the ghost situation,we have a resident in our old home...I must do a blog on it..honest! My mum loves her we even know her name....maybe i can convince you when i do my blog.
ReplyDeleteInner you have a ton of memories from this place; it's fantastic! And I'm curious about ghosts there too. All that stone . . . there just has to be.
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