Richard Lane - The History of Christ Church Cathedral School, Oxford

Shire Publications, an imprint of Osprey Publishing Ltd

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This electronic edition published in 2017 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

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First published in Great Britain in 2017

2017 Christ Church Cathedral School

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ISBN: 978-1-7844-2292-9 (PB)
ISBN: 978-1-7844-2291-2 (eBook)
ISBN: 978-1-7844-2290-5 (ePDF)
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: Tom Quad. Engraving by Loggan, 1675. (Christ Church archives)

: The front entrance of the School. ( CCCS)

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

THE AUTHORS WISH to express their gratitude to the Dean of Christ Church, The Very Revd Professor Martyn Percy, for his great encouragement during the preparation of this book, and for writing the Foreword; also for permission to use material from the College archives. Judith Curthoys, the College archivist, has given much appreciated, invaluable support throughout in finding relevant material and sourcing illustrations. We would like to thank the Headmaster, Richard Murray, who has given his sensitive and sustained support for the project from its inception to completion. He has provided valuable editorial input and made sure we received all the assistance we required. Two former Headmasters, Allan Mottram and Martin Bruce, have contributed to accounts of the School during their periods of office, and Paul Wavell has given us the benefit of his experience of over 40 years of teaching at CCCS, including his years as Deputy Headmaster, for which we are very grateful. The staff at the School have been unhesitatingly helpful. We have always been assured a warm welcome and a good lunch. The Registrar, Clare James, has been of great assistance, helping with text and illustrations. We thank Martin Bruces wife, KT Bruce, for use of her photographs, and old boys for further photographs, reminiscences and anecdotes. Uniquely, one old boy, Simon Freebairn-Smith, provided translations of the relevant College statutes, giving us exceptional insight into the formation of the School. All contributions have enhanced this history of the School and we are grateful for all the support we have received. Finally, thanks to Shire Publications and to Anita Baker and Myriam Bell, who have given unstinting help in turning our ideas and thoughts into this book.

FOREWORD

IT IS NO exaggeration to describe the Cathedral School of Christ Church as one of the jewels in the crown of the Foundation. In 1546, the School was founded within the College to provide choristers for the Cathedral. It has continued to do so for almost 500 years, and has produced some of the finest voices to have ever graced our English cathedrals. Today, the School has around 160 pupils, and continues to educate the choristers of Christ Church Cathedral and Worcester College Chapel to this day.

Originally housed within the College itself, the School is now located across from Christ Church at No. 3 Brewer Street, which includes Cardinal Wolseys former house. It was during the 19th century that the then Dean of Christ Church, Henry Liddell (the father of Alice, immortalised in Lewis Carrolls books), arranged for the building of a new choir school on the present site. Today, the pupils are all boys, except a small number of girls who attend the Nursery. The 20 boarders are choristers or probationary choristers for the Cathedral. The dormitories in which they live are named after distinguished former organists, including Ley, Taverner, Armstrong and Harwood.

Some histories of schools can read like little more than a lengthy list of alumni. This history, however, is quite different. The pacey writing and rich illustration combine to make this book accessible and absorbing and much more than a harking back to the past. Of course, in reminding us of the rich history, this wonderful book celebrates one of the finest heritages of any English cathedral school. However, in bringing us up to the present, the book points us towards the future and all the possibilities and rich potential for future generations of choristers and pupils. Christ Church Cathedral School is a remarkable institution. It is a true jewel in the crown of Christ Church: a true home of learning and the finest formation of character. And like any precious jewel, it shines with its own depth, richness and lustre standing out from the crowd.