SOG-UK-L Archives

From: "Lesley Weymouth" <>
Subject: [SOG] Entrance qualifications for school/University
Date: Sat, 4 Mar 2000 01:36:02 -0000

Hi All,

I wonder if anyone can help with the following :

Peter PRUDDEN attended Merchant Taylors School in 1617/18.

How would he have qualified to attend - would it have been financial, or
would he have needed a letter of recommendation? His supposed grandfather
(also Peter) was a glover, so would he have had Guild membership which might
have smoothed his granson's path?

Similarly, a Peter PRUDDEN (assumed to be the same one) was admitted "sizar"
to Emmanuel College, Cambridge on 20 June 1620 (Alumni Cantabriensis). I
have read that "sizar" was similar to getting a modern-day bursary, that is,
he would have had to work his passage. Again, how would he have gained such
admittance, would he have had a letter of recommendation or would he have
sat an exam? There is no record of him having graduated.

Finally (for now!) a Peter PRUDDEN, clerk, contested the probate of a will
in Monmouth in 1633. Does this mean that he had been admitted to the clergy,
albeit without a living, or could he have just given himself the title
without the recognition of the church? Or would he have been studying the
law?

I would be grateful for any pointers, including further reading material.

Lesley
Luton, Beds

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