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Free School and School of St. John Cage or Chapel.

S

Steve25

Brummie babby
Hi, I've found a will (dated 1683) of Richard Heeley, one of my distant ancestors, who was a Cutler and owner of a Blade Mill in Handsworth, as well as property in Edgbaston Street, Birmingham, in the 17th century. The Will is difficult to read but he seems to mention properties he'd leased to the Governors of the Free School and what looks like the the School of St. John Cage.
I guess the Free School is King Edward VI School, founded in 1552 but I have no idea what the School of St. John Cage was and wondered if any of the Forums historians could enlighten me please?
Sorry but taking a closer look at the will it could be School of St. John's Chapel.
Thank you.
 
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steve we do have designated sections for most topics so i have moved this thread to the schools section of the forum where you may receive a better response

lyn
 
Steve, welcome to the forum, you have found some truly historical information, it really sparked an interest as I am originally from Handsworth.
I cannot help you but I am sure someone on the forum can/will!


Steve25 said:
Hi, I've found a will (dated 1683) of Richard Heeley, one of my distant ancestors, who was a Cutler and owner of a Blade Mill in Handsworth, as well as property in Edgbaston Street, Birmingham, in the 17th century. The Will is difficult to read but he seems to mention properties he'd leased to the Governors of the Free School and what looks like the the School of St. John Cage.
I guess the Free School is King Edward VI School, founded in 1552 but I have no idea what the School of St. John Cage was and wondered if any of the Forums historians could enlighten me please?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
 
Hi Steve. Not sure if this will help. These are all the ‘St Johns’ schools listed for Birmingham. (Source: British History Online). Like I say, don’t know if that helps at all. Viv.

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Looks a good possibility Pedro - schoolroom being on hired premises. And it’s the earliest of all the schools listed. Viv.
 
Another snippet of history which might be relevant relates to the Old Crown Inn in Deritend. It’s the earliest surviving building in modern Birmingham, located on the corner of Heath Mill Lane and High Street Deritend. The inn is a half-timber building, originally built as the Guildhall and School of the Guild of St John the Baptist of Deritend in the late 15th Century.

Was the school mentioned here the early Grammar School (KE) ? I seem to remember it being linked with the Guild (Gild). Viv.
 
Thanks so much for the info Vivienne14 I guess that must be the one as the date would be right. Richards Will is dated 1683, so the School of the Guild of St John the Baptist, Deritend would have certainly been known to him. I've just found mention of it in Hutton's history of Birmingham, where he links it with the Guild of the Holy Cross. I'll have to do more research but I reckon you're spot on, so thanks again. :)
 
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