RESUME OF LECTURES ON EDUCATION, DELIVERED BY C. C. HOWARD, ESQ, F.R.G.S., AT THE NORMAL SCHOOL, CHRISTCHURCH.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 218, 20 August 1878, Page 2

RESUME OF LECTURES ON EDUCATION, DELIVERED BY C. C. HOWARD, ESQ, F.R.G.S., AT THE NORMAL SCHOOL, CHRISTCHURCH.

Third Course—General Subject : Great Teachers and Systems of Education.

Lecture lll.—Subject—The Schools and Educationists of the 13th and 14th Century. Roger Bacon. William of Wykeham. The lecturer introduced his subject by remarking that of the educators of the middle ages two names stand out as worthy of notice—Roger Bacon and William of Wykeham. Before considering the labors of these illustrious men and their influence upon the 13th and 14th centuries, he thought it desirable to review the progress of education during the period of 150 years which formed the gap between that period and the Norman Conquest, where his last lecture concluded. The 11th and 12th centuries might well be pronounced an educational seed time, which bore rich fruit in the succeeding centuries. The Norman Conquest had a great and blessed influence upon the education of England. It was not like most great changes—a great national convulsion, but a gradual work which had its beginning in the days of Ethelred the Unready. Norman influence in England was very great in the reign of Edward the Confessor, when the nation became so prepared for the change that the year a.d. 1066 rather marks the year of Conquest than the beginning of Norman iule. The Normans as a people were far superior to the Saxons and Danes in refinement and education, and hence their rule was a blessing to the Saxons. The Saracenic and Moorish Universities at that time had great influence over the French Universities, and great rivalry in learning existed between the French and tho Normans. Gervais (afterwards Pope Sylvester II.), Lanfranc, and Ansehn were men of great learning in France, and Lanfranc and Ansehn brought to bear upon England their superior learning. The Norman kings, too, were great patrons of learning ; William I. was very proud of having learned men about his Court. Though William 11. was not remarkable for education, Henry I. was renowned for his ability, which obtained for him the title of Beauclere, or fine scholar. The influence of Lanfranc and Ansehn upon the Roman Kings led to a revival of learning during that period, and resulted in the planting of monasteries throughout the country. Many new churches arose at this time, and to this day in very many villages in England may be seen the re-1 mains of the Norman architecture of these I reigns. The erection of so many churches gave great impetus to education, and the churches became schools, and in their porches many wandering scholars gave instruction to the people. The most famous churches at that time were at St. Al ban's, Peterborough, Canterbury, and Malmsbury, and the culture and ability of the people may be seen in the remains of the architecture of these churches. Mr Howard then described the Norman re mains to be seen in the nave of Durham Cathedral, with its pillars fifteen feet square, and its contrast with the lighter structure of post Norman times. The effect of Norman rule was to give increased stimulus to thought, activity, and intellectual life. The lecturer dwelt briefly, upon the revival of the Monastic system under St. Bernard, and the effect of the Crusades upon the intelligence of Christendom.