The History of Hardye's School

Hardye's School had an important role in the development of Dorchester.
It was founded as Dorchester Free School in 1569 but was soon taken under the charitable wing of Thomas Hardye when the townspeople found it to expensive to run for themselves.
I wrote the book 'A Phoenix Rising' in 1992 as a tribute to the history of the school when it was closed and reopened as The Thomas Hardye School. To me it was a case of 'a rose by any other name'.
I named the book 'A Phoenix Rising' because in its long history there had been many times when it seemed on the verge of disaster but each time it recovered and rose from the ashes.
In the book you can find the answers to such questions as :-
Just who was Hardye?
What was the link between Hardye's and the New World?
When was there a feud over fees?
What was the link between the Free School, Pirates and Puritans?
Why was poet William Barnes' application for the position of Headmaster turned down?
Where did the cows come to play cricket?
What is the history of the Oak Screen?
If you'ld like to know more keep visiting here or go to the list of books from Percydale Press at www.BAwriter.co.uk or email me at theodora@percydale.com.
If you wanted to buy a copy of the book as a result of reading this blog you can get it for the special price of £10 post free in the UK.
I'd love to hear from any old Hardyeans. While I was writing the book so many wrote to tell me about their days at the school when it was in South Street in Dorchester. Their memories were a fascinating link with the past.