View of Eton College from the North, c.1640-60 Eton Collections | FDA-P.411-2010 (etoncollege.com) The conflict most commonly known as the English Civil War(s) lasted from 1642 until 1651, and saw the execution of King Charles I in 1649. It was a conflict fuelled by political and religious differences and led to fundamental questioning of the respective roles... Continue Reading →
Warm wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone in the Eton College Collections. A Turkey and a DoveFrom Florence Hopper’s Scrapbook, 1886 This is one of 97 pages in a scrapbook compiled by 12-year-old Florence Hopper in 1886. One of the pastimes of Victorian children was pasting purpose-made coloured pictures,... Continue Reading →
St Andrew's Day traditions viewed through the Eton College Collections St Andrew's Day, celebrated in the Michaelmas half, has become one of the two biggest holidays marked at Eton College, the other being the Fourth of June which takes place in the summer. (In one of Eton's quirks, they are not held on the actual... Continue Reading →
The Verey Gallery at Eton recently hosted the Eton Choirbook and provided the relevant history surrounding it. One of the display cabinets encased an Illumination (below) which included an image of the founder of Eton College, Henry Vl, aged 23 and his bride Margaret of Anjou, only 15 years of age. Detail of a leaf... Continue Reading →
Roderick Maclean attempted to take the life of Queen Victoria in 1882. This was one of several attempts of its kind made throughout her sixty-three year reign. It remained merely an attempt, in part due to the swift actions of two Eton boys: Gordon Wilson and Leslie Murray Robertson. Published register entries for Wilson and... Continue Reading →
What's in a name? Read about Sophia Angelo, one of Eton's longest-serving Dames in this blog by Eleanor Hoare, College Archivist #ExploreYourArchive #PhotographicArchive #NationalArchives #ArchivesAugust
During the late 18th century, the practice and status of watercolour painting developed considerably. One of the main reasons was that travel became easier and artists journeyed to new destinations. http://collections.etoncollege.com/object-fda-d-441-2010 After the Napoleonic wars, Britain's growing commercial prosperity produced new classes of tourist - businessmen, professionals, writers - who were fascinated by the life... Continue Reading →
The Fourth of June is the occasion when Eton College celebrates the birthday of George III, a great supporter of the school, with a grand festival of speeches, cricket and the procession of boats. 2020 has brought unique circumstances and with these, a unique Fourth of June, as we celebrate from our homes and connect online.... Continue Reading →
Amongst Eton’s most famous supernatural residents is Jane Shore – mistress to Edward IV (1442 - 1483) – who has long been credited with saving the College from closure by the new Yorkist king.
The Clap for our Carers tribute takes place at 8pm every Thursday, encouraging everyone in the UK to applaud the NHS and all key workers from their doorsteps, windows or balconies. People have also been showing their support by sharing rainbows in inventive displays in windows, gardens and more. We've been chasing rainbows across the collections as... Continue Reading →
