RGS celebrates 450 years with royal pageant (From Bucks Free Press)

RGS celebrates 450 years with royal pageant

4:10pm Tuesday 24th July 2012 in News

QUEEN Elizabeth I signed a Royal Charter at the Royal Grammar School to give the ownership of the building to the school.

It was part of a pageant at the High Wycombe school last week to celebrate the foundation of the school on July 18, 1562.

Staff and pupils turned back the clock 450 years to recreate the signing of the Elizabethan Royal Charter which finally gave the school ownership of the buildings still used to this day.

In preparation for the Queen’s arrival the assembled pupils, parents and guests witnessed Lord Cecil, the Queen’s advisor and member of the Privy Council, arriving to a brass fanfare.

He, along with one of the courtiers, instructed guests in the proper greetings and reverences required for Her Majesty.

Queen Elizabeth I then proceeded to the stage accompanied by the court bagpiper, Year 9 pupil Hamish Brady.

The Queen’s throne was a handmade chair by furniture maker Stewart Linford, ensuring that the pageant kept to its theme of local history right down to the importance of Wycombe as a chair making town.

Lord Cecil introduced representatives from Wycombe - played by school staff and sixth formers - explaining why the Charter was required before the Queen addressed guests and signed the historic document.

Documents including the original 1562 Royal Charter were on display in the hall during the ceremony, which were loaned to the school by the County Archives in Aylesbury.

The re-enactment was the latest in a long line of events to mark the school’s 450th anniversary, with a concert featuring former RGS boys scheduled for September 9 at the Watford Colosseum.

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