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14 Jan 2025 | |
OA News |
Written by Alice, L6
The School has always had strong ties to St Albans Abbey and several of our previous Headmasters, especially those before the dissolution of the monasteries, were clergymen, as well as writers, scholars and mathematicians. Their wide range of academic interests and achievements continue to reflect the diverse talent of the School and its pupils today.
Three of our early Headmasters were Alexander Neckam [Nequam], Richard Wallingford and John Whethampstede, who were all in post between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries. We know factually that by 1100 there was a monastic school and an almonry school in existence - a charitable school which prepared boys for a variety of medieval careers – that was based in the Gateway and surrounding buildings.
Alexander Neckam
One of the School’s first Headmasters was the theologian and poet, Alexander Neckam. Born in 1157, his mother Hodierna served as the future King Richard I’s wet nurse, and consequently, was raised as the King’s foster brother. Neckam’s education started at St Albans School, and he spent time studying in Paris before returning to teach at a school in Dunstable. It was after this that he became Headmaster of St Albans, sometime in 1188. He remained in the position until his successor, Warin, took over in the early 1190s.
It was during Neckam’s tenure as headmaster that the chronicles described the School as ‘such that there would hardly be found in England a better or more fruitful, or more useful or giving greater opportunity to scholars’.
In addition, Neckam was also accomplished scientifically through his writings on nautical instruments. His books De utensilibus and De natris rerum appear to be one of the earliest recorded descriptions of the magnetic compass outside of China as he describes how seamen can use a needle and magnet as a guide.
Neckam was also responsible for advancements in the field of Theology. He gave what is thought to be one of the first lectures at Oxford University on the subject in 1193, discussing the psalms of David and the wisdom of Solomon. His dedication to religion and religious belief continued until the end of his life, as he was appointed Abbot of Cirencester Abbey in 1213 and died four years later, whilst still in the role.
Richard Wallingford
Another Headmaster with ties to scientific advancement was the mathematician and astronomer, Richard Wallingford. Born in 1292, a century after Neckam, Wallingford was orphaned and taken to Wallingford Priory, which was a dependant priory to St Albans Abbey, where he earned his surname.
Like Neckam, Wallingford spent time at Oxford, studying for six years before becoming a monk at St Albans. An additional nine years of study ensued, after which he became the Abbot of St Albans, and therefore Headmaster, in 1327. He remained in the position until he died in 1336.
Wallingford was best known among the scientific community for his design of the astronomical clock, one of the most complex clock mechanisms to exist in the British Isles and the world. He published his designs for this clock in his 1327 work Tractatus Horologii Astronomici. The former Headmaster also had a strong interest in trigonometry, astrology and celestial coordinates, all of which he published works on.
John Whethampstede
Another Headmaster who contributed significantly to the understanding of the world around us was John Whethampstede. The literary scholar and writer was born in Wheathampsted in 1392 and went on to attend St Albans School from 1408.
After finishing his education, Whethampstede entered the Abbey as a novitiate before progressing to become Abbot in 1420. During his time as Abbot, Whethampstede attended the Council of Siena to discuss church reforms before resigning from his position in 1441. Despite this, he returned to the role of Abbot and, after the death of his successor John Stoke, became Headmaster in 1451.
Whetampstede was a writer of history. Due to his position as Abbot, he was an eyewitness of the first Battle of St Albans in 1455, the first conflict of the Wars of the Roses. His written works, which are still examined today, convey his moral and historical beliefs and have cemented him in history as a great scholar.
The dedication of these three early Headmasters to the School inspires us to aim high in our academic and co-curricular endeavours, whether they be theological, scientific or literary.