Blue Coat School Commemorative Plaque, York

I pointed out this plaque to a young friend of mine who commented that they looked miserable at having to go to school, and she knew how they felt!

The plaque is outside St. Anthony's Hall, and now houses the Quilt Museum. Having done a little research I can understand their expressions.

The Blue Coat and Grey Coat Schools were set up in 1705 for 40 boys and 40 girls, respectively, all of them either orphaned or from poor, often large, families. Both were charity schools, run by the city corporation. The schools are so named because the children were given clothing each year, which included blue, or grey, coats. Whilst the boys of the Blue Coat school were taught reading, writing, and some arithmetic, as well as the catechism, the Grey Coat girls were prepared for domestic service, learning to spin, sew, and do various household duties.

Further information at:

http://www.historyofyork.org.uk/themes/a-learning-city/teaching-the-poor

Katharine

[Padlock]

Just love the commentary. Really must get up to York and enjoy your lovely city

[Bob]

Very nice Katharine, both the plaque and story.

[Hazel A]

Lovely clear shot and interesting information

[Gill W]

Nice history and lovely sharp shot!

[Molly]

A lovely sharp image and such an interesting history. I'd heard of these schools but didn't know anything about them, so thanks for the information.

[Graham Thresher]

Lovely shot and potted history.

[Pyrrhula]

Great capture of the plaque and interesting history

[Jacqui Paterson]

Cool shot. thanks for sharing the history :)

[Ross]

Great shot and love the commentary giving the background. I feel I am really getting to know York through the 'Fisher' family eyes :-)

[Loopy-Lou]

Wonderful shot and interesting history.

[bkb in the city]

Wonderful plaque

[Tony]

Perfect capture of that historic plaque. Your historic notes add so much to the image. Thanks.

[Fisher Family]

@padlock Thanks. I think you would enjoy visiting, there are so many photo opportunities and history. Katharine

[Fisher Family]

@bobhuegel @purplehaze12 @gillg Thank you. I've only noticed it recently despite walking past on a weekly basis. Katharine

[Fisher Family]

@dolphin @thresheg @pyrrhula @witchyjacq @bizziebeeme @tonydebont Thank you. I keep discovering bits of York's history that isn't related to the Vikings, Romans and Medieval City. Katharine

[Fisher Family]

@rossevs Thanks Ross. There is so much of York to discover and the little out of the way sections like this are often overlooked. Katharine

[Fisher Family]

@bkbinthecity Thank you. I've been waiting to get there when thetlight is right. Katharine

[Malc Bird]

A great history - have learnt the origin of Bluecoats. There's one in Liverpool - I wonder if they have the same origin?

[Fisher Family]

@malc I knew of Bluecoat schools in Chester and Oldham before finding out York also had one. I believe the first was in London and then several areas took that as a model. katharine