Like most towns in the 13th century, Bishop's Stortford probably had a school of some kind – usually called a Grammar school – where boys were taught by secular priests. The Church at that time related to its congregation in Latin, and schools were the base at which it was taught. No school could be opened in any diocese without the consent of the bishop.

In 1200 the Council of Westminster ordained that 'priests shall keep schools in the towns and teach the little boys free of charge. Priests ought to hold schools in their houses and if any devout person wished to entrust his little ones to them for instruction they should receive them willingly and teach them kindly. They ought not to expect anything from the relatives of the little boys except what they are willing to give'.

In 1181, a Master Richard of Stortford was the 'master of the schools in London' – the school at St Paul's being endowed by the Bishop of London. Evidence of a similar school in Bishop's Stortford is apparent from churchwardens' accounts of 1431–1440, when it was recorded that 'no rent had been received from the two messuages of the church next to the churchyard i.e. the school and the gate-house because they are dilapidated and stand empty through default'. The reason for this may well have been the plague or simply neglect by the bishop, rector or vicar. Whatever the reason, 'neglect' of schools wasn't just a local issue.

A petition of the Commons in 1447 asking for additional schools in the City of London, made the point that great numbers of Grammar schools throughout the realm, as well as in London, were now very few.

The dilapidated school and gatehouse referred to by churchwardens' was very likely a Church School, built in the mid 14th century on, or close to, the corner of Church Street and High Street and adjoining the churchyard.

The foundation of the town's 17th century Grammar school is generally attributed to the bequest of Margaret Dane, wife of William Dane a wealthy London merchant of the Company of Ironmongers', who was born in Bishop's Stortford in 1517. When William died he left £50 for the setting up of a school for the children of poor men and widows of the town. His hope was that it would be established within two years of his death, but no evidence exists to say if his wish was fulfilled.

When Margaret Dane died in 1579, she bequeathed to the Ironmongers' Company £2,000 to be used for benevolent purposes. This included £5 to be given annually to assist with the maintenance of a school to be built in Bishop's Stortford. If a school wasn't built the money was to be used for the relief of the poor of the town.

Shortly after administration of her will the sum of money was paid to a school, described as the Grammar school, and subsequently paid until its closure in the late 18th century. Churchwardens' accounts of 1591 refer to 'the mending of formes wher the boyes sit', and the following year 'for Glasing the schole lofte vis. 5 1/2d', i.e. the replacement of lattice windows with glass windows. Whether or not these repairs were made to the original school or to a new building is unknown, but it was probably Margaret Dane's 'maintenance' money that was used for the purpose.

AN ACCOUNT OF WILLIAM AND MARGARET DANE'S LIFE IS GIVEN AT THE FOOT OF THE FOLLOWING PAGE

Little is known of what happened to the school next, but there is certainly evidence that, from the 17th century, a school at Bishop's Stortford successfully prepared many boys to go on to Cambridge University.

The headmaster at this time was Thomas Leigh, and under his control the school flourished, attracting many boys from neighbouring counties. He also founded an excellent school library for which one of his former pupils, Sir Henry Chauncy, rated him one of the foremost benefactors of Bishop's Stortford. Leigh had made it customary for every boy who left the school to present a book to the library, which subsequently grew into a large collection. By now the school's popularity was such that the Trustees agreed to enlarge the building and also accommodate a Latin school and a Writing school. The growing library was to be housed in a separate building attached to the Grammar school.

Leigh held the position of headmaster for an incredible 47 years, but when he retired in the mid 1660s the school went into rapid decline. Future headmasters, including Leigh's second son the Rev Thomas Leigh (vicar of St Michael's 1680-86), achieved moderate success in sending boys on to University, but within 50 years the building and its ever-growing library were virtually in ruins. Not until the next century did the school attain the high standard previously set by Leigh.

In 1690 Dr Thomas Tooke, rector of Lambourne in Essex, arrived in Bishop's Stortford to fill the post of headmaster and quickly set about re-establishing the school. But two years later a review of the charities by the commissioners found that several funds meant for education and the relief of the poor had been misapplied for a number of years, much of it finding its way into the pockets of some of the most respected members of the town. They promptly appointed a new body of Trustees to administer the funds – that would include an income for the schoolmaster – and aroused new interest in the school library. The number of books by this time was well over 1300 with a value in excess of £300 but, sadly, no one had ever been appointed to look after them and their condition had deteriorated considerably.

Tooke approached his task with great enthusiasm, but when the existing school premises proved inadequate for his needs he launched an appeal for a brand new Grammar school and library. Townspeople and Gentry reacted favourably, a driving force behind the rebuilding being Edward Hill Denny (son of Edward Denny senior – See Guide 10) who subscribed generously.