The History Department runs a number of trips, which vary from year to year. Each November, all Year 8 boys spend a day at Hampton Court. This provides a fascinating insight into Tudor life, both ‘upstairs’ with the Great Hall, the Chapel Royal and the collections of paintings, and ‘downstairs’, which includes an entertaining and highly informative tour of the kitchens. Middle School boys have enjoyed trips to the battlefields of the First World War and the D-Day landing beaches. ‘Those who survived the horrors of Flanders and Ypres are now all dead. Until recently, the Commonwealth War Graves in France and Belgium might have seemed of mere historical interest. But the events of the forthcoming centenary commemorations made the Middle School trip to the battlefields of the “War to End All Wars” seem curiously contemporary. The sheer number of simple headstones made a huge impression on all who went. For me, the most personal and emotional moment of the visit was when we visited the grave of Major Stewart Loudoun-Shand VC OA, who was decorated posthumously with the Victoria Cross at the Somme. At his grave, we read poems and laid a poppy wreath.’ Robert Power, Year 10
Every year, boys in the Upper School have the opportunity to visit one of the great cities of Europe. Recently, these have included: Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Vienna, Moscow and St Petersburg. Every year, a number of AS and A2 boys have the opportunity to attend conferences and lectures in central London. Recent events have had a medieval theme, including talks on the Angevin kings of England and the Crusades. Angus Simpson came suitably attired. The History Book Club has established itself as an important part of the boys’ preparation for university entry. Membership is entirely voluntary and meetings are held about once a fortnight, at which a book read by all of the boys is discussed. Over the past year, discussions have been held on books by EH Carr, AJP Taylor, Herbert Butterfield, Christopher Hill, Isaiah Berlin and David Cannadine, to name but a few. Towards the end of the summer holidays, boys in the Remove who intend to read History at university have the chance to join the department’s Reading Party. Based either at the College’s Outdoor Centre in south Wales or closer to home in London – and often held in conjunction with the James Allen’s Girls’ School – the week provides a superb opportunity for historical discussion ahead of the hurly-burly of the A2 academic year. This year, the trip took in sites of interest from Hughenden Manor, country pile of the Victorian Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli;
Lord Hurd addresses the History Society in the Masters’ Library.
17
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker