Mary in March, 1566, a gift of all the patronages
and endowments in the city, which had belonged
to the Franciscan and Dominican priories, including
the ancient school, which, till then, had been
vested in the abbey of the Holy Cross, in January,
1567, they resolved to erect a suitable schoolhouse
on the land of the Blackfriars monastery ; and
this edifice, which was built for E250 Scots (about
A40 sterling) was ready for occupation in the
following year.
-
LADY YLSTER?S CHURCH, 1820. (AfitrStorw.)
ascertained, and they were obliged to teach gr.afi;
the sons of all freemen of the burgh.
For the ultimate completion of its buildings,
which included a tall square tower with a conical
spire, the school was indebted to James Lawson,
who succeeded John Knox as one of the city
clergy ; but it did not become what it was originally
intended to be-an elementary seminary for logic
and philosophy as well as classics ; but it led to the
foundation of the University in its vicinity, and
This edifice, which was three-storeyed with
crowstepped gables, stood east and west, having on
its front, which faced the Cowgate, two circular
towers, with conical roofs, and between them a
square projection surmounted by a gable and
thistle. The main entrance was on the east side
of this, and had over it the handsome stone panel,
which is still preserved in the last new school, and
which bears the city arms, the royal cypher, and
the motto.
MVSIS , RES PUBLICA . FLORET . 1578.
At that time, says Amot, there appears to have
been only two teachers belonging to this school,
with a small salary, the extent of which cannot be
hence, says Dr. Steven, ?? they may be viewed as
portions of one great institution.?
The encouragement received by the masters was
so small that they threatened to leave the school if
it were not bettered, on which they were ordered
to receive a quarterly fee from the sons of the freemen
; the masters of three, and the usher of two
shillings Scots (nearly 6s. and nearly 4s. sterling)
from each; and soon after four teachers were
appointed with fixed salaries and fees, which
were augmented from time to time as the value of
money changed, and the cost of living increased
(Arnot).
In 1584, a man of superior attainments and
considerable genius, named Hercules Rollock, a
The Old High SchwL] SCHOOL BRAWLS. 289
native of Dundee, after undergoing a full course of
study at St Andrews, became head-master, and
among his pupils the name of one alone has come
down to us, Williani Drummond of Hawthornden,
the historian of the Jameses, the poet and Cavalier.
? In those days,? says Steven, ?frequent
tumults took place, which seldom or never characterise
modern times. The rude behaviour of the
boys towards their teachers, particularly manifested
inwhat has been termed a barringout, was frequently
practised both in England and in Scotland in the
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.?
resist the civic authorities as they had already
disdainfully rejected the advice and commands of
their excellent preceptor.?
By order of the provost, William Little, the
principal door was battered to pieces, the school
entered, and the scholars were overawed, though
tire-arms of every description, with swords and
halberds, were found in their possession; but in
such lawless proceedings the boys? only imitated
the conduct of their seniors, who were daily engaged
in raids, brawls, and street tulzies.
As a teacher Rollock was well supported by his
countrymen; and in 1591, by the patronage of
Queen Anne, some Danes were entrusted as pupils
to his care. Save Greek and Latin, nothing had
been tzught as yet at the High School, but in 1593
a teacher of penmanship, named William Murdoch,
was appointed; yet no salary was allowed, though
the master was authorised to charge ten shillings
Scots quarterly for each pupil ?writter.? In 1595
the school was the scene of that famous barringout
and tragic tumult in which Bailie MacMorran
was shot, and of which a full relation is given in
the account of his residence.
This fatal event greatly affected the sensitive
mind of Rollock, while the expulsion of some
scholars, and the withdrawai of others by their
parents, thinned his classes, and at the same time
he lost the favour of the Town Council, and
became involved in a litigation, which made such
inroads on his slender funds, that at his death in
1599 he left his family in such poverty that the
Council in 1600 made a
Principal, and his duties were distinctly defined in
a document drawn up in October, 1598.
The quarlerly examinations, at which were
present the magistrates, ministers, and members of
the Bar, took place at Candlemas, , Beltane,
Lammas, and Martinmas. By all these officials
and the masters ?nothing was left undone to impress
on the minds of the young the abhorrence of
the tenets of the Roman Catholics,? says Dr.
Steven ; ?but publicly to caricature the ecclesiastics
of another communion was surely unworthy of Protestant
magistrates and teachers. In the summer
of 1598 the city treasurer was directed to purchase
grey cloth sufficient for five dresses resembling
those worn by friars, and likewise coarse red cloth
to represent (in burlesque) the official costume,of
his Holiness and the college of cardinals The
Corporation agreed to this outlay on the distinct , understanding that at the close of this theatrical
