ENGLAND TRIP: Day 9: Part 8: Windsor's Eton College

During our tour bus trip around Windsor and vicinity, we passed through the campus of Eton College. Eton College, usually referred to as Eton, is a British independent boarding school for boarding pupils aged between 13 to 18 years. It is a large boys' school, with over 1,300 pupils, and was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI. Eton is a full boarding school.

ETON'S FAMOUS STUDENTS

Many famous Britians were educated at this school, including Princes William and Harry. Prime Minister David Cameron also went there. George Orwell author of "1984"and Ian Fleming of James Bond fame both attended Eton.
 In 1678, there were 207 boys. In the late 18th century, there were about 300, while in the modern era, the total has risen to over 1,300.

ETON'S INTERESTING HISTORY

King Henry VI founded the school and he granted a large number of endowments like land and a plan for buildings. When Henry was deposed by Edward IV in 1461, the new king annulled all grants to the school and moved most of its assets and treasures to St George's Chapel, Windsor.
 According to legend, though, Elizabeth "Jane" Shore (c.1445 – c.1527) one of the many mistresses of King Edward IV of England intervened on the school's behalf and saved a large part of the school.

ETON'S ONE HAUNTING 

Yes, there's one ghost known to haunt Eton, and it's the ghost of the woman who saved it. Elizabeth Jane Shore is said to haunt Eton College's Lupton Tower and the Cloisters. According to paranormaldatabase.com, she appears as a lady in grey, haunting the tower where she died in 1526.

 
FLOGGING - Eton used to be renowned for its use of corporal punishment, generally known as "beating". In the 16th century, Friday was set aside as "flogging day."

UNIQUE CELEBRATION - The "Fourth of June" is an event that takes place before the first weekend in June to celebrate the birthday of King George III, Eton's greatest patron.

FILMS MADE AT ETON - It was surprising to learn that there have been many movies made on the Eton campus. Some we recognized include: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2012); Shakespeare in Love (1998); Chariots of Fire (1981);and Young Sherlock Holmes (1985) among others.