The Weald of Kent, Surrey and Sussex
Free Grammar School  Waterloo Road  Cranbrook Town  Cranbrook  

Books and other documents
PublishedTitle, author and references
1868School Inquiry Commision Vol XI South-East Division by C. I. Elton and H. A. Giffard ⇒ p. 41
1896A Glimpse at Cranbrook - The Town of the Weald by W. Stanley Martin ⇒ p. 32
1923Early History of Cranbrook School by Leland L. Duncan ⇒ p. 127
2008A History of Cranbrook from the earliest times to 1914 by Peter Allenp. 37; p. 76; p. 94; p. 105; p. 113; p. 120

Historical records

1518HistoryFree Grammar SchoolEarly History of Cranbrook School
Extract from John Blubery's will:
he left the "chief mansion place of my lond to my wife during hir life and then to the childe of my doughter yf it be a man childe and if it be not a man child that then it is my chief place and residue of my lands to be at the disposician of William Lynche to found a frescole howse for all the pour children of the town of Cranbroke aforesaid after the decesse of my wife, and the scolemaster to be chosyn and admitted by the said William Lynche"

1564HistoryFree Grammar School

Simon Lynche was born circa 1495 the eldest son of William Lynche and, probably, Cicily Morton, the first of his three wives. The Lynches were wealthy members of the Cranbrook area having made their fortune as clothiers. William Lynch had been charged by John Blubery in his will of 1518 "to found a frescole howse for all the pour children of Cranbroke" and on William's death in 1539 Simon took on this responsibility. By 1564, after legal proceedings, Simon "for a certain consideration him thereunto moving" conveyed certain property to trustees for the perpetual maintenance of a grammar school at Cranbrook. This included a house called Blewberryes and a farm at Horsemonden. In 1573 Queen Elizabeth I visited Cranbrook when she granted a Charter to establish the Grammar School of Queen Elizabeth in Cranbrook.

Simon Lynche had moved circa 1550 to Staple near Sandwich, which he represented in parliament in Queen Mary's reign, and afterwards to his seat at Groves. Simon married first Mary Roberts and then Joan Courthope with whom he had four sons and established the family and their descendants at Staple

Simon died in March 1573/4 and was buried in the Lynch Chancel at Staple on 5th March 1573/4.


1574Letters Patent, Free and Perpetual Grammar SchoolLetters Patent, Free and Perpetual Grammar School, CranbrookAllen's History of Cranbrook

8th May 1574HistoryQueen Elizabeth I CharterFree Grammar School
"Know ye that We heartily desiring to promote the pious proposal aforesaid and also that the aforesaid free and perpetual Grammar School within the parish of Cranbrook may be brought to perfection firmly to endure for ever

our Heirs and Successors Will and Grant that within the Parish of Cranbrook there shall hereafter be for ever a certain free and perpetual Grammar School and that the same school shall hereafter for ever be called the free and perpetual Grammar School of Queen Elizabeth in Cranbrook.
"

1868HistoryFree Grammar SchoolSchools Inquiry

The governors take a great interest in the school, and are anxious to benefit it in every way. They have recently built a new schoolroom, which was very much needed, at a cost of 300 l. They appear to take very unusual pains in selecting the headmaster when a vacancy occurs, and have been repaid by a rapid improvement in the condition of the school under the Rev. J. J. Allan (since deceased).

This gentleman was very highly respected in the town, and the number of foundationers, which had sunk to one or two, increased during his mastership to a yearly average of 20. I examined a portion of the school, and found that the boys were well instructed. At the time of my visit the highest form was composed of younger boys than in ordinary years; they were, however, both accurate and spirited in their classical translations, particularly from the Georgics and passages from Cicero. The lower boys appear to be very well grounded in grammar. Particular attention is paid to French, with good results. I was furnished with the reports of examiners in 1864 and 1865, which are highly satisfactory.


3rd Apr 1881CensusCharles Crowden, M, Head, married, age 44, born Bath, Somerset; occupation: schoolmaster and clergyman of Church of EnglandCharles Crowden, schoolmaster and clergyman of Church of EnglandGrammar School, Glebe House & Church Lodge1881 Census
Cranbrook, Kent
Mary Julia Crowden, F, Wife, married, age 35, born LondonMary Julia Crowden
Charles Fletcher Crowden, M, Son, age 12, born Cranbrook, Kent; occupation: scholarCharles Fletcher Crowden
Beatrice Mary Crowden, F, Daughter, age 9, born Cranbrook, Kent; occupation: scholarBeatrice Mary Crowden
Clement E. Taylor, M, single, age 27, born Norwich, Norfolk; occupation: schoolmaster's assistantClement E. Taylor
George Henry Wells, M, single, age 25, born London; occupation: schoolmaster's assistantGeorge Henry Wells
Julia Elizabeth Smith, F, Servant, single, age 41, born Iden, Sussex; occupation: matron (school service)Julia Elizabeth Smith
Marion Coulson, F, Servant, single, age 39, born Loughborough, Leicester; occupation: matron (school service)Marion Coulson
Alice Dickson, F, Servant, single, age 32, born Holdsworthy, Devon; occupation: matron (school service)Alice Dickson
Mary E. Barker, F, Servant, single, age 45, born London; occupation: domestic cookMary E. Barker
Jane Mercer, F, Servant, single, age 25, born Cranbrook, Kent; occupation: Parlour maidJane Mercer
Eliza Ravine, F, Servant, single, age 20, born Canterbury, Kent; occupation: lady's maidEliza Ravine
Esther Castleford, F, Servant, single, age 18, born Biddenden, Kent; occupation: housemaidEsther Castleford
Harriet Hopperton, F, Servant, single, age 22, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation: housemaidHarriet Hopperton
Elizabeth Coleman, F, Servant, single, age 18, born Biddenden, Kent; occupation: kitchenmaidElizabeth Coleman
Mary Jane Knight, F, Servant, single, age 17, born Leeds, Kent; occupation: scullerymaidMary Jane Knight
William A. Reynolds, M, Servant, single, age 20, born Hawkhurst, Sussex; occupation: footman (domestic)William A. Reynolds
Robert Reynolds, M, Servant, single, age 20, born London; occupation: boot boyRobert Reynolds
Sarah Ann Williams, F, Servant, single, age 30, born Deal, Kent; occupation: cookSarah Ann Williams
Sarah Jane Coley, F, Servant, single, age 17, born Cranbrook, Kent; occupation: housemaidSarah Jane Coley
Elizabeth Beken, F, Servant, single, age 19, born Cranbrook, Kent; occupation: housemaidElizabeth Beken
Elizabeth Ann Cork, F, Servant, single, age 17, born Benenden, Kent; occupation: housemaidElizabeth Ann Cork
Cecil John Marsh, M, Boarder, age 11, born Poplar, Middlesex; occupation: scholarCecil John Marsh
Atherton W. Ashley, M, Boarder, age 13, born Bombay, India; occupation: scholarAtherton W. Ashley
Charles M. Cobb, M, Boarder, age 13, born Rochester, Kent; occupation: scholarCharles M. Cobb
Herbert J. Cobb, M, Boarder, age 13, born Rochester, Kent; occupation: scholarHerbert J. Cobb
Frank Mayes, M, Boarder, age 12, born Cambridge, Cambridge; occupation: scholarFrank Mayes
Courtenay Colley, M, Boarder, age 10, born Bombay, India; occupation: scholarCourtenay Colley
Sholto E. Barnes, M, Boarder, age 11, born Hythe, Kent; occupation: scholarSholto E. Barnes
Edwards S. Hughes, M, Boarder, age 12, born London; occupation: scholarEdwards S. Hughes
Arthur M. Dalby, M, Boarder, age 11, born Romford, Essex; occupation: scholarArthur M. Dalby
Edwin C. Pope, M, Boarder, age 13, born Brenchley, Kent; occupation: scholarEdwin C. Pope
Henry Alston, M, Boarder, age 13, born Eton, Buckingham; occupation: scholarHenry Alston
Charles F. Cope, M, Boarder, age 14, born Kingston, Surrey; occupation: scholarCharles F. Cope
Geoffrey S. Hughes, M, Boarder, age 10, born London; occupation: scholarGeoffrey S. Hughes
Charles F. Clarke, M, Boarder, age 13, born Bridge, Kent; occupation: scholarCharles F. Clarke
Frederick S. Tollit, M, Boarder, age 11, born Brixton, Surrey; occupation: scholarFrederick S. Tollit
Henry Lord Marsack, M, Boarder, age 13, born Tunbridge Wells, Kent; occupation: scholarHenry Lord Marsack
Frederick A. Marsack, M, Boarder, age 11, born Tunbridge Wells, Kent; occupation: scholarFrederick A. Marsack
Francis Tress Curteis, M, Boarder, age 12, born Tenterden, Kent; occupation: scholarFrancis Tress Curteis
Hugh Lloyd Boxall, M, Boarder, age 11, born Northiam, Sussex; occupation: scholarHugh Lloyd Boxall
Albert Jas. Waterman, M, Boarder, age 14, born Sellinge, Kent; occupation: scholarAlbert Jas. Waterman
Thornton Skinner, M, Boarder, age 15, born Boughton Monchelsea, Kent; occupation: scholarThornton Skinner
Lionel Edwd. Caine, M, Boarder, age 15, born China; occupation: scholarLionel Edwd. Caine
Edgar Lake, M, Boarder, age 13, born Rodmersham, Kent; occupation: scholarEdgar Lake
William G. Colbeck, M, Boarder, age 13, born Dover, Kent; occupation: scholarWilliam G. Colbeck
Charles S. Russell, M, Boarder, age 12, born Willesborough, Kent; occupation: scholarCharles S. Russell
Charles G. Currie, M, Boarder, age 14, born Cape Colony, Africa; occupation: scholarCharles G. Currie
Percy Northcote, M, Boarder, age 14, born Islington, Middlesex; occupation: scholarPercy Northcote
William C. Seaton, M, Boarder, age 13, born West Malling, Kent; occupation: scholarWilliam C. Seaton
Joshua H.Balser Sharp, M, Boarder, age 14, born Keswick, Cumberland; occupation: scholarJoshua H.Balser Sharp
Cecil C.S. Barry, M, Boarder, age 13, born Sydenham, Surrey; occupation: scholarCecil C.S. Barry
Thomas G. Pettitt, M, Boarder, age 12, born Pimlico, Middlesex; occupation: scholarThomas G. Pettitt
Ralph H. Stephenson, M, Boarder, age 13, born Pimlico, Middlesex; occupation: scholarRalph H. Stephenson
Henry Eldridge Stratton, M, Boarder, age 13, born Newport, Isle of Wight, Hampshire; occupation: scholarHenry Eldridge Stratton
Barley C. Johnson, M, Boarder, age 16, born Fakenham, Norfolk; occupation: scholarBarley C. Johnson
Iveson A. Ernest, M, Boarder, age 16, born Crowgrange, York; occupation: scholarIveson A. Ernest
George Sharland, M, Boarder, age 15, born Blackheath, Kent; occupation: scholarGeorge Sharland
Edward G. Barnes, M, Boarder, age 13, born Hawkhurst, Kent; occupation: scholarEdward G. Barnes
Walter H. Macklin, M, Boarder, age 14, born Tulsehill, Surrey; occupation: scholarWalter H. Macklin
Peter E. Schgote, M, Boarder, age 12, born Constantinople, Turkey; occupation: scholarPeter E. Schgote
Donald H. Edwards, M, Boarder, age 12, born Wandsworth, Surrey; occupation: scholarDonald H. Edwards
Ralph C. Barton, M, Boarder, age 12, born Etchingham, Sussex; occupation: scholarRalph C. Barton
John S. Gibbons, M, Boarder, age 14, born Northfleet, Kent; occupation: scholarJohn S. Gibbons
Beauchamp H. Beard, M, Boarder, age 13, born Surbiton, Surrey; occupation: scholarBeauchamp H. Beard
Edward F. Newman, M, Boarder, age 14, born Bottisham, Cambridge; occupation: scholarEdward F. Newman
Charles Linibert, M, Boarder, age 15, born Gravesend, Kent; occupation: scholarCharles Linibert
Albert C. Trouncer, M, Boarder, age 14, born Horeham, Sussex; occupation: scholarAlbert C. Trouncer
Edward Goodwin, M, Boarder, age 14, born Wateringbury, Kent; occupation: scholarEdward Goodwin
Whitelock A. Field, M, Boarder, age 14, born Kensington, Middlesex; occupation: scholarWhitelock A. Field
Parr H. Maskill, M, Boarder, age 15, born London; occupation: scholarParr H. Maskill
Edward A. Price, M, Boarder, age 16, born Bloomsbury, Middlesex; occupation: scholarEdward A. Price
George H. Horne, M, Boarder, age 16, born Kingston, Surrey; occupation: scholarGeorge H. Horne
Marchant J. Fry, M, Boarder, age 17, born Thaxted, Essex; occupation: scholarMarchant J. Fry
Henry F. Barry, M, Boarder, age 14, born Sydenham, Surrey; occupation: scholarHenry F. Barry
John J. Orman, M, Boarder, age 15, born East, India; occupation: scholarJohn J. Orman
Charles W. Lattey, M, Boarder, age 17, born Clapham, Surrey; occupation: scholarCharles W. Lattey
Edward C. Philpot, M, Boarder, age 16, born Marylebone, Middlesex; occupation: scholarEdward C. Philpot
Lee Goodwin, M, Boarder, age 15, born Chester, Cheshire; occupation: scholarLee Goodwin
Walter Thos. Hinds, M, Boarder, age 14, born Goudhurst, Kent; occupation: scholarWalter Thos. Hinds
Walter F. Priestley, M, Boarder, age 15, born Paris, France; occupation: scholarWalter F. Priestley
Cherry E. Cooper, M, Boarder, age 14, born St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands; occupation: scholarCherry E. Cooper
Herbert Hinds, M, Boarder, age 16, born Goudhurst, Kent; occupation: scholarHerbert Hinds
Francis E. Dalby, M, Boarder, age 14, born Romford, Essex; occupation: scholarFrancis E. Dalby
John Geo. Whitfield, M, Boarder, age 17, born Kirby Ravensworth, York; occupation: scholarJohn Geo. Whitfield
William F. Whitfield, M, Boarder, age 18, born Kirby Ravensworth, York; occupation: scholarWilliam F. Whitfield
William R. Philpott, M, Boarder, age 16, born Melbourne, Australia; occupation: scholarWilliam R. Philpott
Frederick Lake, M, Boarder, age 16, born Sittingbourne, Kent; occupation: scholarFrederick Lake
Henry J. Croft, M, Boarder, age 17, born Kingston, Kent; occupation: scholarHenry J. Croft
Burton H. Mason, M, Boarder, age 16, born Chester, Cheshire; occupation: scholarBurton H. Mason
Evans R. Prall, M, Boarder, age 17, born Rochester, Kent; occupation: scholarEvans R. Prall
Richard L. Rawnsley, M, Boarder, age 17, born Saltash, Cornwall; occupation: scholarRichard L. Rawnsley
Thomas G. Rawnsley, M, Boarder, age 15, born Woolwich, Kent; occupation: scholarThomas G. Rawnsley
William F. Jollye, M, Boarder, age 17, born Donnington, Lincoln; occupation: scholarWilliam F. Jollye
Richard South, M, Boarder, age 16, born East Peckham, Kent; occupation: scholarRichard South
William J. Graham, M, Boarder, age 15, born Lamberhurst, Sussex; occupation: scholarWilliam J. Graham
Eddowes J. Cooper, M, Boarder, age 16, born St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands; occupation: scholarEddowes J. Cooper
Edwin A. Dalby, M, Boarder, age 15, born Belvedere, Kent; occupation: scholarEdwin A. Dalby
Drury D. Barnes, M, Boarder, age 16, born Cork, Ireland; occupation: scholarDrury D. Barnes
William F. Barton, M, Boarder, age 15, born Etchingham, Sussex; occupation: scholarWilliam F. Barton
Stallard E. Trouncer, M, Boarder, age 16, born London; occupation: scholarStallard E. Trouncer
Brooke B. Hoggan, M, Boarder, age 16, born Southsea, Hampshire; occupation: scholarBrooke B. Hoggan
James A. Lattey, M, Boarder, age 18, born Daventry, Northampton; occupation: scholarJames A. Lattey
Herbert P. Anderson, M, Boarder, age 16, born Tamworth, Warwick; occupation: scholarHerbert P. Anderson
Reed P. Turner, M, Boarder, age 16, born Chester, Cheshire; occupation: scholarReed P. Turner
Maurice Green, M, Boarder, age 16, born Loose, Kent; occupation: scholarMaurice Green
Arthur J. Pedley, M, Boarder, age 16, born Tenterden, Kent; occupation: scholarArthur J. Pedley
Sneed A. Prall, M, Boarder, age 15, born Rochester, Kent; occupation: scholarSneed A. Prall
Charles A. Edmore, M, Boarder, age 13, born Algiers, Africa; occupation: scholarCharles A. Edmore
Augustus H. Smith, M, Boarder, age 14, born Chester, Cheshire; occupation: scholarAugustus H. Smith
Arthur W. Cope, M, Boarder, age 13, born Kingston, Surrey; occupation: scholarArthur W. Cope
Richard W. Beard, M, Boarder, age 11, born Surbiton, Surrey; occupation: scholarRichard W. Beard
Henry Chas. Owen, M, Boarder, age 12, born Sydenham, Kent; occupation: scholarHenry Chas. Owen
Beauchamp C. Humphrey, M, Boarder, age 16, born Karachi, India; occupation: scholarBeauchamp C. Humphrey
Wyatt Williams, M, Boarder, age 12, born South Kensington, Middlesex; occupation: scholarWyatt Williams
John Chas. Parris, M, Boarder, age 12, born Withyham, Sussex; occupation: scholarJohn Chas. Parris
Stephenson L. Koe, M, Boarder, age 12, born Bayswater, Middlesex; occupation: scholarStephenson L. Koe
Frederick C. Ellis, M, Boarder, age 14, born Richmond, Surrey; occupation: scholarFrederick C. Ellis
Augustus F. Brown, M, Boarder, age 13, born South Kensington, Middlesex; occupation: scholarAugustus F. Brown
Frank Alston, M, Boarder, age 15, born Windsor, Berkshire; occupation: scholarFrank Alston
Earl Geo. Alt, M, Boarder, age 10, born Japan; occupation: scholarEarl Geo. Alt
Edward Owen, M, Boarder, age 11, born Sydenham, Kent; occupation: scholarEdward Owen
Thornton C. Horton, M, Boarder, age 10, born Clapham, Surrey; occupation: scholarThornton C. Horton
Thornton P. Horton, M, Boarder, age 11, born Clapham, Surrey; occupation: scholarThornton P. Horton
Henry Andrew, M, Boarder, age 10, born Esher, Surrey; occupation: scholarHenry Andrew
Wilmot C. Newington, M, Boarder, age 15, born Goudhurst, Kent; occupation: scholarWilmot C. Newington
William F. Philpott, M, Boarder, age 15, born Burselton, Hampshire; occupation: scholarWilliam F. Philpott
George M. Hall, M, Boarder, age 15, born Plymouth, Devon; occupation: scholarGeorge M. Hall
Robert P. Lake, M, Boarder, age 13, born Rodmersham, Kent; occupation: scholarRobert P. Lake
Ernest F. Williams, M, Boarder, age 14, born South Kensington, Middlesex; occupation: scholarErnest F. Williams
Charles C. K. Worsfold, M, Boarder, age 13, born Dover, Kent; occupation: scholarCharles C. K. Worsfold
Hugh Darcy Croft, M, Boarder, age 13, born Kingston, Kent; occupation: scholarHugh Darcy Croft
Capel Hankey, M, Boarder, age 14, born Lower Tooting, Surrey; occupation: scholarCapel Hankey
Harry Collins, M, Boarder, age 16, born Farnham, Surrey; occupation: scholarHarry Collins
John Weston, M, Boarder, age 13, born Kelpen, Middlesex; occupation: scholarJohn Weston
Herbert Augs. Budden, M, Boarder, age 13, born Chartham, Kent; occupation: scholarHerbert Augs. Budden
Walter Thos. Seaton, M, Boarder, age 14, born West Malling, Kent; occupation: scholarWalter Thos. Seaton
Alfred H. Newbald, M, Boarder, age 14, born Hull, York; occupation: scholarAlfred H. Newbald
John A. Cooper, M, Boarder, age 12, born St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands; occupation: scholarJohn A. Cooper
John E. Sankey, M, Boarder, age 15, born Gravesend, Kent; occupation: scholarJohn E. Sankey
Richard M. Jenner, M, Boarder, age 14, born Sandgate, Kent; occupation: scholarRichard M. Jenner
Samuel P. Stronghill, M, Boarder, age 11, born Bearsted, Sussex; occupation: scholarSamuel P. Stronghill
Henry P. Cobb, M, Boarder, age 11, born New Romney, Kent; occupation: scholarHenry P. Cobb
Alexander W. Bigg, M, Boarder, age 16, born Marylebone, Middlesex; occupation: scholarAlexander W. Bigg
Walter Goodwin, M, Boarder, age 12, born Wateringbury, Kent; occupation: scholarWalter Goodwin
Louis H. Barnes, M, Boarder, age 15, born Fleetwood, Lancashire; occupation: scholarLouis H. Barnes

1896Grammar School LodgeGrammar School Lodge, CranbrookPrivate collection

1903Grammar School LodgeGrammar School Lodge, CranbrookPrivate collection

1925The School HouseThe School House, CranbrookPrivate collection

c 1930Cranbrook SchoolCranbrook School photographed by J. Salmon, SevenoaksPrivate collection

c 1940Crowden House, Cranbrook SchoolCrowden House, Cranbrook School, Cranbrook photographed by E.A. Sweetman & Son Ltd, Tunbridge WellsPrivate collection

1950Big School and Dining Hall, Cranbrook SchoolBig School and Dining Hall, Cranbrook School photographed by E.A. Sweetman & Son Ltd, Tunbridge WellsFree Grammar SchoolPrivate collection

c 1950Queen Elizabeth's Grammar SchoolQueen Elizabeth's Grammar School, CranbrookAllen's History of Cranbrook

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