Eton College

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Eton College. Founded by Henry VI with the title ‘The College of the Blessed Mary of Eton beside Windsor’ in 1440, it was modelled on Winchester and New College, Oxford, set up by William of Wykeham. In the original foundation provision was made for a schoolmaster, 25 ‘poor and indigent’ scholars, as well as choristers, priests, and 25 infirm men. There are two types of scholars, the oppidans who live in houses of some assistant masters, and the collegers who are lodged in the college. Its pre-eminence among public schools dates from the headmastership of Edward Barnard (later Provost) 1754–65.

Peter Gordon

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