What is unique about Eton College?

Eton College had its beginnings as a charity school set up by Henry VI in 1440 to provide a free and good quality education for seventy poor students. The students were then to move on to the newly established Kings College in Cambridge to finish their studies.

At the time, Henry VI gave the college several large endowments in the form of land, religious relics and plans. However, he was unseated as king by Edward IV in 1461, and much of the property was subsequently taken back. Legend has it that the king’s mistress, Jane Shore, intervened on behalf of Eton College and succeeded in getting some of its endowments restored, but on a much smaller scale than it had previously enjoyed.

Even since its beginning, Eton College has relied on the generous donations of its wealthy benefactors to build new structures and upgrade the level of education, a situation that persists even today.

Many famous alumni, or Old Etonians as they are called, have gone on to be important members of British society. Eton has produced 18 former Prime Ministers.

Perhaps the most famous Old Etonian was the Duke of Wellington, although he attended Eton only briefly, and purportedly held no fond remembrances of his time there.

Eton is popular with members of the Royal Family and wealthy and powerful families from all over the world have eagerly sent their sons to Eton for a proper British education.

The college was home to many of the curious and cruel traditions that have become the hallmark of the British public education system. Although much of the hazing and disciplinary excesses have been outlawed, some of the old ways persist in the dress codes and secret societies.

Institutions like Eton are pilloried by some in our modern society as throwbacks to an elitist, class-bound age that many Britons would just as soon put behind them. Eton College just soldiers on, educating leaders and weathering the storms of change as it has done for more than 500 years.

Visiting Eton College

Eton College, Windsor, SL4 6DW

Telephone: 01753 671000

Opening Times

General admission to parts of the College and guided tours run from March to early October.

Ticket Prices

General admission: £4.20 (Adults), £3.45 (Concs) | Tours: £5.50 (Adults), £4.50 (Concs)

Photo courtesy: ell brown

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