Charter for the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Ashbourne (first page)

Following a petition by leading inhabitants of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, and neighbouring area, on 17 July 1585 the people of Ashbourne were granted a charter by Queen Elizabeth I for the founding of a Free Grammar School on land granted by the Queen. It ordained that the offices of schoolmaster and under-master be established, that there be a governing body of 3 governors and 12 assistants (with provision for the filling of vacancies), that the governing body make statutes and ordnances, and that it has the use of common seal. The charter cost £28 12s.

Made of 3 parchments, the charter is in Latin, with the Great Seal (partly damaged) attached. The handwriting is Chancery Hand, and the charter has borders and initial letters decorated with painted figures and motifs, consisting of crowns, tudor roses, royal coat-of-arms supported by a lion and dragon, a harp, a crowned eagle on a tree trunk holding a sceptre, and clouds with rays of the sun coming down. The initial ‘E’ is decorated with a particularly fine miniature painting of Queen Elizabeth on her throne, with the letter ‘E’ incorporating and being surrounded by allegorical figures, exotic birds, animals and fruits (including a robin, dragonfly and snake). The painting of Queen Elizabeth is believed to come from the workshop of Nicholas Hilliard.

The borders of the charter's folios are decorated with numerous heraldic images that chart Elizabeth's lineage, including: the Tudor Rose, the Harp symbolising Ireland, and the Fleur-de-Lis for France. Amongst the other heraldic badges incorporated into the charter are: rays of sun issuing from a cloud, representing Edward III; and a portcullis, for her descent through her great-grandmother, Margaret Beaufort.