Continuum Continuum 2020 | Page 60

Maybe in Shakespeare

Jack Cade( grammar-hating rebel leader) to Lord Saye( loyal courtier):
“ Thou hast most traitorously corrupted the youth of the realm in erecting a grammar school... It will be proved to thy face that thou hast men about thee that usually talk of a noun and a verb, and such abominable words as no Christian ear can endure to hear.”
Henry VI Part II, Act IV, Scene VII
There are those who say that the ruinous‘ grammar school’ in question is Sevenoaks. And as Shakespeare clearly based this particular plotline on actual events surrounding The Battle of Solefields( fought in 1450 on ground we now use as playing fields) we like to believe they’ re right.