A most important and noteworthy feature of some chantries is, that in certain parishes they were founded by the inhabitants themselves, for the express purpose of providing educational facilities. We do not imply that the religious element was lacking, or that the doctrine of the efficacy of prayer for the departed was lightly held. In all probability, the religious motive was a strong impelling force. For our present purpose, the significant fact is, that in certain communities some of the inhabitants founded chantries with the provision of facilities for education as the expressed object. We have been able to trace the origin of the following schools to the action of the inhabitants, but it is not claimed that the list is exhaustive.
| Aldeborough. | Wragby. | |
| Basingstoke. | Bridgenorth. | |
| Deritend. | East Retford. | |
| Eccleshall. | Lancaster. | |
| Eye. | Truro. | |
| Gargrave. | Coggeshall. | |
| Northallerton. | Thaxted. | |
| Odiham. | Prittlewell. | |
| Staunton. | Berkhampstead. | |
| Thirsk. |
We may now consider the establishment of typical cases.
Basingstoke.
The school at Basingstoke was founded “by the decision of the inhabitantes at the begynnyng.”[472] Apparently, the inhabitants of the town had formed themselves into a gild called the “Brotherhood of the Holy Ghost” for this special purpose. Their school can be traced back to 1244, and is the earliest school of which at present we have any knowledge, whose origin may be attributed to the enterprise of the inhabitants.
Northallerton.
This school existed before 1321, as is evidenced by the fact that in that year the master was appointed to the school by the prior of Durham.[473] It was founded by “certen well disposed persones—for the better bringinge up of the children of the towne.”[474]
Deritend.
The existence of this school can be traced back as far as 1448, and is due to the enterprise of “the inhabitans of the same hamlet cauled Deretende.”[475]
Lancaster.