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CHARTER DAY CELEBRATIONS

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Tuesday, 17 Jul 2012

CHARTER DAY PAGEANT

Wednesday 18 July 2012

The Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe has a long and diverse history, dating back to the 13th Century Hospital of St. John, of which the ruins still remain on Easton Street. It is unlikely that the RGS would be standing today without the Royal Charter which finally gave the school ownership of the buildings it had been using for the previous decades.  

 

Above:  the Charter from 1562, on loan from the County Archive Collection

Today’s pageant provided a reenactment of that day's events to explain the background to the Queen's bestowing of the Charter in 1562 and it paid tribute to her award.

(See a longer version of the charter-signing on our school history page )


In preparation for the Queen’s arrival the assembled pupils and guests witnessed Lord Cecil, the Queen’s advisor and member of the Privy Council, arriving to a brass fanfare.  He, along with one of the courtiers, instructed guests in the proper greetings and reverences required for Her Majesty.  Queen Elizabeth I then proceeded to the stage accompanied by the court bagpiper.



Lord Cecil instructs the guests on protocol

He explains why a charter is necessary

Lord Cecil introduced the honourable courtiers and representatives from Wycombe, explaining why the Charter was required by the Borough.  Wycombe representatives formally welcomed the Queen to the school.


The Mayor makes an obsequious address

Ladies in waiting

Queen Elizabeth I then adressed her guests.  The Charter document was presented to the Queen to be signed and bestowed upon the Wycombe representatives.  



 Her Majesty addresses her subjects on the importance of education

Her Highness signs the charter


The Queens hand over the charter

The Headmaster humbly thanks Her Majesty and declares, "Henceforth this school shall be known as the Royal Grammar School"

The guests were then upstanding for the Queen’s departure from the Pageant Hall.

450 Exhibition of Historical Artefacts

Documents including the original 1562 Royal Charter were on display in The Space for our viewing pleasure

 
Photographs with Queen Elizabeth I, were  available, and her Majesty made herself available for informal audiences.

Source: Court Reporter