OVs Pre-Twentieth Century
Of the Old Vigornians listed below, the first two would have been pupils of the monastery school:
Athelstan (895-939) was a great Anglo-Saxon king and grandson of Alfred the Great. In 924 he invaded the then Viking kingdom of Northumbria and, during 10 months of battle, Scotland, Cumbria, Wales and Cornwall all surrendered to him. These victories and diplomatic successes earned him accolades such as 'the greatest king in the northern world' and 'smasher of enemies.' He was even compared to Charlemagne.
Sir Reginald Bray (died 1503) was the son of a doctor in St John's, Worcester, and is believed to have attended the monastery school. He played a key role in Tudor history, helping bring about union between the previously warring royal families of York and Lancaster, and became Henry VII's closest adviser and friend, as principal minister and chief councillor. There is even a strong belief that Sir Reginald fought at Bosworth Field and picked up the fallen crown of Richard III, which he later placed on Henry Tudor's head. Sir Reginald designed St George's Chapel, Windsor, and possibly Prince Arthur's Chantry in Worcester Cathedral.
Robert Wylde (1535-1608) was one of the earliest pupils at King's. His father, Thomas Wylde, was a wealthy Worcester clothier who bought The Commandery and its grounds at Sidbury as the family home. The name Wyld's Lane derives from the Wylde family. Robert Wylde left King's to become a lawyer.
The picture shows his tomb in Worcester Cathedral.
Edward Kelly (1555-1595) who, after leaving King's at 17, became a notorious sorcerer, some labelling him a con man, others one of the world's greatest magicians. With Dr John Dee, the famous Tudor mathematician and astrologer, Kelly toured many foreign courts, interpreting through a crystal ball what the spirits said. He died of a fall while living in Prague.
Edward Winslow (1595-1655) was born in Droitwich and became a King's Scholar from 1606 until 1611. He was one of the Pilgrim Fathers and twice served as Governor of the New England colony. Further details from 'The King's School and a History of its Site' by Caroline Roslington.
Thomas Tomkins (1572-1656) was a composer of high esteem and served as Organist of Worcester Cathedral from 1596.
Francis Potter (1594-1670) became a respected figure in the scientific establishment and was a founder member of the Royal Society in 1663. On a more controversial note, however, he wrote a best-selling book which claimed the Pope was the Anti-Christ.
William Rowland (1605-1659) who, after his schooling at King's, spent the rest of his life in Paris as a poet, writing his verses in Latin, English and French.
Sir John Vaughan (1608-1674) entered the Commons at 20, representing Cardiganshire. Samuel Pepys called him 'the Great Vaughan' and suggested he was the best speaker in the Commons. Vaughan was appointed Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas.
Samuel Butler (1612-1680) was the author of Hudibras, a satirical work in three parts which enjoyed great popularity in the latter part of the 17th Century and was much liked by Charles II.
Lord Somers (1650-1716) was perhaps the most distinguished of all OVs. He was MP for Worcester and became, in turn, Solicitor-General, Attorney-General, Keeper of the Great Seal, Privy Councillor and Lord High Chancellor of England and all in the space of eight years!
Thomas Morris (1668-1748) was a Minor Canon of Worcester Cathedral, who refused to bow to the rule of William and Mary and was dismissed from his post and also from being Vicar of Claines. He lingered on for many years, 'kindly, cheerful old man.' His grave in the Cloisters, near the South West Door of the Cathedral, bears the epitaph he requested 'Miserrimus,' the most miserable of men.
Dr John Wall (1708-1776) set up as a physician in Foregate Street, Worcester and helped found Worcester Royal Infirmary. He also popularised Malvern Water, but he is best remembered for having founded the Royal Worcester Porcelain Company in 1751.
Samuel Foote (1720-1777) began acting professionally at 27 and was something of the Rowan Atkinson of his day. Bryon wrote of him: 'Whoever loves a laugh must sigh for Foote.'
Sir George Greville, K.C.M.G. (O.V. 1862- 1869) had the distinguished honour conferred upon him on his retirement by His Majesty the King. Sir George Greville has had a distinguished career, having entered the Foreign Office in 1875, and served in Paris, Buenos Ayres, Lisbon, Athens, Stockholm and Peking. In 1892 he was appointed Secretary of the Legation at Rio de Janeiro and in 1896 was made Consul-General at Buda-Pesth. He was promoted Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Mexico in 1900, and was made a K.C.M.G. on his retirement recently from the Diplomatic Service.
(Source Vigornian March 1906)
Athelstan (895-939) was a great Anglo-Saxon king and grandson of Alfred the Great. In 924 he invaded the then Viking kingdom of Northumbria and, during 10 months of battle, Scotland, Cumbria, Wales and Cornwall all surrendered to him. These victories and diplomatic successes earned him accolades such as 'the greatest king in the northern world' and 'smasher of enemies.' He was even compared to Charlemagne.
Sir Reginald Bray (died 1503) was the son of a doctor in St John's, Worcester, and is believed to have attended the monastery school. He played a key role in Tudor history, helping bring about union between the previously warring royal families of York and Lancaster, and became Henry VII's closest adviser and friend, as principal minister and chief councillor. There is even a strong belief that Sir Reginald fought at Bosworth Field and picked up the fallen crown of Richard III, which he later placed on Henry Tudor's head. Sir Reginald designed St George's Chapel, Windsor, and possibly Prince Arthur's Chantry in Worcester Cathedral.
Robert Wylde (1535-1608) was one of the earliest pupils at King's. His father, Thomas Wylde, was a wealthy Worcester clothier who bought The Commandery and its grounds at Sidbury as the family home. The name Wyld's Lane derives from the Wylde family. Robert Wylde left King's to become a lawyer.The picture shows his tomb in Worcester Cathedral.
Edward Kelly (1555-1595) who, after leaving King's at 17, became a notorious sorcerer, some labelling him a con man, others one of the world's greatest magicians. With Dr John Dee, the famous Tudor mathematician and astrologer, Kelly toured many foreign courts, interpreting through a crystal ball what the spirits said. He died of a fall while living in Prague.
Edward Winslow (1595-1655) was born in Droitwich and became a King's Scholar from 1606 until 1611. He was one of the Pilgrim Fathers and twice served as Governor of the New England colony. Further details from 'The King's School and a History of its Site' by Caroline Roslington.
Thomas Tomkins (1572-1656) was a composer of high esteem and served as Organist of Worcester Cathedral from 1596.
Francis Potter (1594-1670) became a respected figure in the scientific establishment and was a founder member of the Royal Society in 1663. On a more controversial note, however, he wrote a best-selling book which claimed the Pope was the Anti-Christ.
William Rowland (1605-1659) who, after his schooling at King's, spent the rest of his life in Paris as a poet, writing his verses in Latin, English and French.
Sir John Vaughan (1608-1674) entered the Commons at 20, representing Cardiganshire. Samuel Pepys called him 'the Great Vaughan' and suggested he was the best speaker in the Commons. Vaughan was appointed Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas.
Samuel Butler (1612-1680) was the author of Hudibras, a satirical work in three parts which enjoyed great popularity in the latter part of the 17th Century and was much liked by Charles II.
Lord Somers (1650-1716) was perhaps the most distinguished of all OVs. He was MP for Worcester and became, in turn, Solicitor-General, Attorney-General, Keeper of the Great Seal, Privy Councillor and Lord High Chancellor of England and all in the space of eight years!
Thomas Morris (1668-1748) was a Minor Canon of Worcester Cathedral, who refused to bow to the rule of William and Mary and was dismissed from his post and also from being Vicar of Claines. He lingered on for many years, 'kindly, cheerful old man.' His grave in the Cloisters, near the South West Door of the Cathedral, bears the epitaph he requested 'Miserrimus,' the most miserable of men.
Dr John Wall (1708-1776) set up as a physician in Foregate Street, Worcester and helped found Worcester Royal Infirmary. He also popularised Malvern Water, but he is best remembered for having founded the Royal Worcester Porcelain Company in 1751.
Samuel Foote (1720-1777) began acting professionally at 27 and was something of the Rowan Atkinson of his day. Bryon wrote of him: 'Whoever loves a laugh must sigh for Foote.'
Sir George Greville, K.C.M.G. (O.V. 1862- 1869) had the distinguished honour conferred upon him on his retirement by His Majesty the King. Sir George Greville has had a distinguished career, having entered the Foreign Office in 1875, and served in Paris, Buenos Ayres, Lisbon, Athens, Stockholm and Peking. In 1892 he was appointed Secretary of the Legation at Rio de Janeiro and in 1896 was made Consul-General at Buda-Pesth. He was promoted Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Mexico in 1900, and was made a K.C.M.G. on his retirement recently from the Diplomatic Service.
(Source Vigornian March 1906)