Eton

As might be expected of the world’s most famous English public school, Eton College chapels have a host of stories to tell about their early days. Lower Chapel, dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, was built in 1889-92. Queen Victoria and her daughters, Empress Frederick and Princess Beatrice, visited the new chapel on March 19, 1891, when the Empress unveiled a statue of the Queen over the gateway into the Quadrangle. Built of Sutton and Weldon stone from designs by Sir Arthur Blomfield, it is similar in some ways to the College chapel: Perpendicular in style, divided by large buttresses but without aisles. Three additional bays at the west end designed by Charles Blomfield were completed in 1926 to give seating for more than 500 boys. The roof is chestnut wood, and on the shields between the ribs are carved emblems of the Passion. At the west end there are dedications to a Head Master, Lower Master and assistant master dated around 1889. Much of the furniture and fixtures in the chapel were donated by Old Etonians and others connected with the school - organ, lectern, reredos, silver cross and candlesticks on the altar, frontal and superfrontal and processional cross. Brother, sisters and friends of Tom Cottingham Edwards- Moss put four stained glass windows in the chapel in 1895 ‘to preserve the memory of an Etonian so deeply mourned’. He died at the age of 31 after becoming MP for Widnes. The windows in the nave are by Kempe, and each depicts a virtue: on each are saints or men whose lives were examples of virtue, with scenes from the lives of these men. The detail is well worth further investigation. The tracery of the ten windows is perpendicular. That of the Chancel windows is decorated, given in memory of Mr Edwards-Moss, two representing the Annunciation and the shepherds of Bethlehem, one of whom is playing bagpipes. The sheaf in the window is the badge of Kempe. The tapestries - part of a memorial to those killed in the First World War - were designed by Lady Chilston and woven at the Morris works at Merton Abbey. The ‘Eton Guide’ describes the tapestries as a remarkable combination of the styles of the mid 16th century Brussels looms with English romantic detail, and quite untouched by developments in contemporary art; they form one of the latest examples of the power of the chivalric image in the 19th century public schools, showing the life of St George as typifying fallen Etonians.
An extract from from"Berkshire Churches Photographic Memories".

At the junction of Common Road and Slough Road, two College schoolboys, one carrying a cricket bat over his right shoulder, are seen walking past the ‘Burning Bush’. They may be going to the famous Playing Fields of Eton. A horse and carriage approach from the direction of the High Street.
An extract from from"Windsor Photographic Memories".

Our cameraman was standing quite close to the excitement of this riverside party, organised by Eton College. This celebration marks the monarch’s official birthday, and has been held for centuries. The top hats sported by the boys can still be seen, even if they are no longer generally worn for the rest of the year.
An extract from from"Canals and Waterways".

Back at the river, this view shows the crowds watching the Procession of College Boats, held every year on 4 June to commemorate George III’s birthday. The king took a keen interest in the College, and often crossed the bridge to talk to scholars. The Etonians and their guests here throng the Eton bank: toppers, Eton collars and ladies’ floral hats aplenty.
An extract from from"Down the Thames Photographic Memories".

Our cameraman was standing quite close to the place where photograph 35371 was taken as he captured the excitement of this riverside party, organised by Eton College. This celebration marks the monarch’s official birthday, and has been held for centuries. The top hats sported by the boys can still be seen, even if they are no longer generally worn for the rest of the year.
An extract from from"Canals and Waterways".