THE WYKEHAM JOURNAL 2022
AN ENDURING MOTTO
AN INTRODUCTION BY JAMES YOUNGER ( F , 1969-74 )
Manners Makyth Man . The alliteration in the motto is an aide memoire , and it has become quintessentially distinctive of Winchester College , of the Wykehamist , and also of New College , Oxford . As Yasumasa ( Yasu ) Suzuki , a remarkable exchange student from Japan , the subject of one of this year ’ s articles , writes : ‘ Even if you are not a Wykehamist , you might have heard of this phrase thanks to the popular movie Kingsman ’, starring Colin Firth .
The motto is regarded as a symbol of continuity emanating from 600 years of history . However , will the motto remain relevant today given the pace of change including the introduction of girls to the school ?
A key element of this year ’ s Wykeham Journal is Yasu ’ s well-researched and detailed analysis , in his Sixth Book essay , of the background and possible meanings of our motto . Dr Hands , whose advice was sought for this work , alludes to its significance in his ‘ Headmaster ’ s Message ’ stating : ‘ The College is defined by its motto ’. Dr Mark Griffith , a Professor at New College , Oxford , who was also consulted , believes that the origins of the motto go back as far as somewhere between 1350 and 1367 , before our founder , William of Wykeham ( 1324-1404 ) is thought to have selected it for both his Colleges of St . Mary , in Oxford ( 1379 ) and in Winchester ( 1382 ).
Those with a sharp memory will recall that ‘ Manners Makyth Man ’ was analysed in an admirable article written in the 2018 Wykeham Journal by John Shaw ( H , 1973-77 ) who highlighted five enduring attributes from the motto that define a Wykehamist :
A SYMBOL OF CONTINUITY EMANATING FROM 600 YEARS OF HISTORY
character , conversation , curiosity , foresight and leadership . It is the last of these which is most relevant for the notion of ‘ serving society ’. John Shaw may have drawn on a quotation from an article in 1964 by John Harvey : ‘ Manners may have meant individual character , or possibly rather the special mould , stamp or quality set upon a man by his education ’.
Yasu draws similar conclusions from his more extensive exploration of the motto ’ s meaning . From views expressed in this journal , the motto is proving to be enduring ; it can withstand the test of centuries , taking account of an ever greater pace of change , whether in society , politics or educational theory and practice .
What would Wykeham make of this ? He might highlight one key façet with a degree of satisfaction , surprise and perhaps self-indulgence : that with its motto deeply ingrained , one of the school ’ s three original functions resolutely endures — intercession for the salvation of the Founder ’ s soul . 1