Westminster School

Westminster School (in full, The Royal College of St. Peter at Westminster, but almost always referred to as Westminster School, or even just Westminster, for short) is an ancient English public school, located by Westminster Abbey in Westminster, in central London, and with a history stretching back to the 12th century. Its A-level results over many of the past 20 years, including both 2004 and 2005, have been the highest in the country. The Head Master up to July 2005 was Tristram Jones-Parry, who has been replaced by Dr. Stephen Spurr.

Customs

On Shrove Tuesdays since 1753 the 'Greaze' takes place "up School", in which the head cook is required to throw a horsehair pancake over the bar that used to separate the parts of the schoolroom, for which elected members of the school fight for one minute whilst being watched over by the Dean of Westminster Abbey and the Head Master; the pupil with the largest piece after the minute is up being the winner, and awarded a sovereign. Were the cook to fail to get the 'pancake' over the bar within 3 tries, he or she would have been booked, or pelted with (rather heavy) Latin primers; it is rumoured that this has taken place on (at least) one occasion. The Greaze is still an extremely popular tradition with some members of the school, although the tradition of booking the cook no longer exists.

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The privilege of being the first commoners to acclaim each new sovereign at their coronation in Westminster Abbey is reserved for the current Queen's (or King's) Scholars. Their shouts of "Vivat Regina" (Long live the Queen!) are now incorporated into the Coronation Anthem.

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A service is given in Latin each year in Westminster Abbey, called 'Little Commem.', in which the School celebrates its benefactors, most notably Elizabeth I. Every third year a much larger service is given in its place, and called 'Big Commem'.

Related Topics:
Latin - Westminster Abbey - Elizabeth I

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The Latin Play, acted by members of College, is presented annually in College, with a prologue and humorous epilogue on contemporary events given in Latin by the head of the House (known as the Master of the Queen's Scholars, regardless of their sex). Elizabeth I, who spoke fluent Latin, inaugurated the plays by her school statutes in 1560, and the early plays were acted in College Hall before Queen Elizabeth and her whole Council. However, in a more prudish age Queen Victoria recorded in her diary that the Play was "very Improper"! No other school in the world can claim to have carried on this ancient yuletide custom, almost without interruption to the present day.

Related Topics:
Latin - Elizabeth I - 1560

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