David Evans

Local historian, former teacher, Cathedral guide, trustee of Discover DeCrypt and author of 'Ancient Schools of Gloucester'

[David Evans @ancient_schools]

Now released is my new book, 'The Ancient Schools of Gloucester', available to purchase on the Amazon link below. Fully illustrated, it is the only book that draws together the early histories of the schools that existed in Gloucester before 1800.

https://t.co/aVZox0M9wY

[David Evans @ancient_schools]

Now is the time to book for the Gloucester History Festival in September. The programme is as exciting as ever with lots of prestigious speakers on a wide range of topics. I have booked three events this morning; there's still availability, but Blackfriars does fill up fast.

[Gloucester History Festival @GlosHistFest]

⭐Booking for #GlosHistFest24 Autumn Festival is now open!⭐ Get your tickets here https://t.co/PlSu2mbcO7 We’ve got a special message from Festival President @DrJaninaRamirez and we can't wait for you to join us in September in person or online. Saturday 7 - Sunday 22 Sept.

[David Evans @ancient_schools]

Our three-day Spring History Festival in April features some brilliant talks on a wide range of interesting topics; download the brochure, and book early!

[Gloucester History Festival @GlosHistFest]

🌸🌱Booking for the Spring Weekend 🌱🌸 is now open! ⭐ Tickets are on sale now: https://t.co/3eWp0lWESG @DrJaninaRamirez #GlosHistFest24 @visitgloucester @sathnam @BowenBBC @peterfrankopan @sixteenthCgirl

[David Evans @ancient_schools]

Among names read out in the Remembrance Service @KingsSchoolGlos today were two brothers from Ashleworth. Both lost their lives in WW1: George Brotheridge (right) whilst attacking German defences at Le Cateau, Frederic when his Sopwith Camel was shot down. We will remember them.

[David Evans @ancient_schools]

In an exhibition - 'Buttons, Badges and Blazers' - @MuseumOfGlos until January is a fascinating collection of uniform items from @strsglos specified in the will of the founder and used until 1882: a navy drugget coat, individually numbered silver medallions and pupil photographs.

[David Evans @ancient_schools]

The Cloisters @GlosCathedral as never seen before: part of the Lux Murialis light show. The use of medieval script is particularly apt in the Cloisters, where we know children were already receiving an education as early as 1072 (Gloucester's first school).

[David Evans @ancient_schools]

Gloucester Rugby is currently celebrating its 150th anniversary. One of its first matches was against King's School, then known as the College School, in October 1873. Not surprisingly, the adult side defeated the school with a score of two goals and six tries to nil.

[David Evans @ancient_schools]

@SteveMorris123 @KingsSchoolGlos Nice to hear from you, Steve! The posts are so called because the figures represent strong men capable of supporting the whole building, just like Samson the strong man of the Old Testament!

[David Evans @ancient_schools]

Enjoyable evening last night for visitors to see the history of the beautifully refurbished Dulverton 6th Form Centre @KingsSchoolGlos, once the Infirmarer's Lodging at St Peter's Abbey. Great interest in the Samson posts, which dendrochronology suggests may date from the 1320s.

[Gloucester History Festival @GlosHistFest]

The festival starts very soon...2 Sept! Packed with many exciting events, we can't wait to welcome you all to #GlosHistFest23 but be quick to avoid disappointment! https://t.co/ScgnUMOMzx @drjaninaramirez @GlosBlackfriars @susie_dent @VisitGloucester @MuseumOfGlos @HistoryExtra

[David Evans @ancient_schools]

You are welcome this Friday afternoon @discoverdecrypt, when we will be recreating the schoolroom of @TheCryptSchool from 300 years ago. Come and meet Mr Daniel Bond, the headmaster of that era, talking about his work, the influences on the school and his hopes for the future.

[David Evans @ancient_schools]

Excellent evening spent recently in the atmospheric cloisters of @GlosCathedral enlightening groups of alumni and others @KingsSchoolGlos about medieval education. Here one group is looking at the fascinating board games scratched onto the benches by some of our first scholars.

[David Evans @ancient_schools]

The medieval fan-vaulted cloisters @GlosCathedral formed a natural environment in which education began to develop. Our Benedictine monks had strong links with Oxford University and used the 22 carrels in the south walk of the cloisters for the creation of their own books.

[David Evans @ancient_schools]

Looking forward to this event on Thursday: sharing knowledge about the medieval school that began in our Cloisters, visiting the Cathedral Library, home to King's in Tudor times, and learning about the archaeological discoveries made during the recent refurbishment of Dulverton.

[The King’s School, Gloucester @KingsSchoolGlos]

Join us on a voyage of discovery as we take a tour around the older parts of the School & @GlosCathedral, inc rare access to the Cathedral Library, to learn more about the fascinating history of King's @ancient_schools
Reserve your tickets here: https://t.co/CFZ5a68edN

[David Evans @ancient_schools]

There is no record of when formal education exactly began in Gloucester. It may have been around 1022 when Benedictine monks first arrived. This is the date displayed on the glass in the north walk of our cloisters, probable site of the medieval school @GlosCathedral.

[David Evans @ancient_schools]

#OTD We have many Gloucester connections with the coronation to celebrate: the King's visit as Prince Charles in 1998; the coronation of his ancestor Henry III in our nave in 1216; the processional cross used in 1953; & the coronation chair kept in our crypt during World War 2.

[Gloucestershire Heritage Hub @GlosHeritageHub]

Henry III was hastily crowned here in Gloucestershire at Gloucester Cathedral (then Abbey) after the death of his father, King John, in 1216. He was 9 years old and the last monarch to be crowned outside London or Westminster Abbey. #Coronation

[David Evans @ancient_schools]

A memorial in St Mary de Crypt Church refers to Edward Sparkes, the 18th century headmaster of @KingsSchoolGlos who had Robert Raikes, Jemmy Wood, John Stafford Smith and Button Gwinnett among his pupils. He married Mary Alexander, whose father was his predecessor as headmaster.

[David Evans @ancient_schools]

A special place where it is easy to imagine yourself transformed back into history - a view almost unchanged since 1539 when the Tudor brick schoolroom was built for @TheCryptSchool thanks to the work of Joan Cooke and the legacy of her husband.

[David Evans @ancient_schools]

#OTD, when the 39th Dean @GlosCathedral is installed, remember the influence Deans have had on education in the city. Most famously, Dean William Laud (later Archbishop) began the requirement in 1617 for pupils @KingsSchoolGlos to attend morning assemblies in the Cathedral.

[David Evans @ancient_schools]

The King's School Admission Register contains the names of all those who have attended the school since 1685. This page from 1751, written by Headmaster Edward Sparkes, records the entry of Robert Raikes, future prisoner reformer and pioneer of Sunday schools, at the age of 14.