The Sherborne Register, 1823 - 1891. Compiled and arranged by H. H.
Horne. Clowes and Sons.)—" Since 1872," writes Mr. Hume in his preface, " a school register has been carefully kept." And the school began to be not later, we may say, than 772! Indeed, one might go nearly a hundred years further back, for the monastery at which St. Eadhelm set up his bishop's
chair in 704 was fonaded some years before, and with the monastery, or very soon after, the school. In the introduction we have a highly interesting account of the Abbey, the Abbey Church, and its surroundings and belongings. Some of the old monastic buildings still stand,—the abbot's lodging, for instance, and the kitchen, which are now school studies. In 1639, the Abbey and its possessions were surrendered into the hands of the King. In the following year Henry granted the house and site, and all the land situate in or about Sherborne, to Sir John Horsey. Two months afterwards the parishioners bought the Abbey Church from Sir John Horsey for £66 13s. 4d. ; and in 1550, King Edward VI., in answer to a general petition, refounded the school. The Abbey buildings and grounds were gradually bought back. A new schoolhouse was built on the site of the old for £12 5s. 3d., and a master's house cost something more than £20. Various changes and additions were made from time to time. A new schoolroom was built in 1670, and an infirmary in 1697. It marks the increase of the value of money that this cost £320 9s. 6d. In 1835 the bell buildings were set up, and in 1855 a new schoolroom, chapel, and schoolhouse studies. More recent additions need not be particularised. The Register calls for no special notice. Various appendices give information about prizes academical and athletic.
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