Cowbridge Grammar School was one of the best-known schools in Wales until its closure in 1974. It was replaced by Cowbridge Comprehensive School.
Founded in the 17th century by Sir John Stradling and refounded by Sir Leoline Jenkins, it had close links with Jesus College, Oxford. The school took both boarders and day boys. Famous old boys include actor Anthony Hopkins, poet Alun Lewis, and TV presenter Patrick Hannan.
The main school buildings were located in Church Street, Cowbridge. Derelict for some years, they have been converted into residential accommodation.
The school also occupied part of Old Hall, formerly the town house of the Edmondes family, now an adult education centre.
Contents
History
Cowbridge Grammar School was founded in 1608 by Sir John Stradling and owned by Jesus College, Oxford, from 1685 to 1918. Sir Leoline Jenkins, Secretary of State to Charles II, purchased the school and bequeathed it to Jesus College in his will. With the introduction of Intermediate schools in Wales following the Welsh Intermediate Education Act (1889), the school refused to join the scheme. This was even discussed in Parliament. It became Cowbridge Comprehensive School in 1973-1974. What used to be the grammar school's main building, dating from 1852, was converted into residential accommodations beginning in 2006 and completed in 2008.
In 1881, Edward Treharne, who represented the school, was chosen to play in the first international game for the Wales rugby union team.
Headmasters
c.1662–1669 Rev. David Lloyd
1669–c.1703 Rev. David Watkins
1703–1704 Rev. Thomas Richards
1704–1721 Rev. Robert Powell
1721–1763 Rev. Daniel Durel who was also vicar of Coychurch
1764–1783 Rev. Thomas Williams
1783–1784 Rev. John Walters
1785–1787 Rev. Daniel Walters
1787–1847 Rev. Dr. William Williams
1847–1850 Rev. Dr. Hugo D. Harper
1850–1864 Rev. W. Holt Beever
1864–1870 Rev. Thomas Williams
1870–1875 Rev. J. C. F. Morson
1875–1889 Rev. Morris Price Williams
1890–1918 Rev. W. Franklen Evans
1919–1938 Richard Williams
1938–1971 J. Idwal Rees
Notable former pupils
The following old boys are listed in date order:
Evan Seys (1604–1685) — Attorney general to Cromwell; MP for Glamorgan and Gloucester; Recorder of Gloucester; Exclusionist and Proto-Whig
Leoline Jenkins (1625–1685) — Secretary of State to Charles II; MP for Hythe and the University of Oxford; Judge of the High Court of the Admiralty; second founder of the school; Principal of Jesus College, Oxford
John Pettingall (1707/8–1781) — Antiquarian and clergyman
David Durell (1728–1775) — Old Testament Scholar; Principal of Hertford College, Oxford; Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford
George Cadogan Morgan (1754–1798) — Scientific writer (notably on electricity); republican and dissenting minister
John Nicholl (1759–1838) — Lawyer and politician: Tory MP, Privy Councillor, King's Advocate, Dean of the Arches, Judge of the High Court of the Admiralty
William Nott (1782–1845) — General for the East India Company; Commander in the first Afghan War 1838-42; Resident at Lucknow
Evan Evans (1813–1891) — Master of Pembroke College; Oxford and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford
Lewis Morris (1833–1907) — Writer and poet; a founder of the University of Wales; radical Liberal
Edward Treharne (1862–1904) — Pioneering Welsh rugby international and medical man
Glanville Williams (1911–1997) — Professor of English Law at Cambridge