The Middleton Accounts of 1526: #56

The next entry in the Middleton household accounts for Sir Henry Willoughby in 1526 was dated 1st October. It was described as payment for Master Catesby’s school hire, schoolboard for 15 weeks and the making of gear (clothes). The amount was 20 shillings, which was the equivalent of about £441.28 today.

School hire referred to the school fees paid specifically for the provision of basic educational tuition. However, additional charges could be applied for a physical desk space, firewood to heat the classroom, extra tutoring and more. On the other hand, schoolboard would have covered living expenses including a room, food, laundry and other general living costs. Furthermore, certain schools required a specific type or colour of gown to be worn by the students and this would have been why a cost for clothing was also made.

This payment coincides well with the previous post in which Catesby was taken to Southwell Grammar School. Normally, in this era, costs were paid at the end of an event, such as the end of term. 15 weeks from when he was taken to Southwell on 11th June would have been the 24th September. However, in that previous post, school hire was also paid for and it was noted that the School changed to their winter timetable from 29th September. That date was Michaelmas and was one of the major “quarter” days, which was when terms would end, bills would be settled, rents paid, leases shifted and more.

West end of Southwell Minster, 2010. Photograph taken by Debbie Jordan.

The additional days from the end of term to the 1st October would have been necessary for bureaucracy. It would only have been at the ending of the term that the school’s administrative costs incurred by Catesby during the term would have been tallied. A bill would then have been drawn up. Finally, a messenger would have been dispatched to hand the bill directly to either Sir Henry or his steward. Taking account of all of this, the 1st October is a reasonable timeframe for this bill to have been settled.

Further Reading: W. H. Stevenson, Report on the Manuscripts of Lord Middleton, Historical Manuscripts Commission, 1911. p.385.

Author - Debbie Jordan, Middleton Hall Volunteer.

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