Generally speaking, the more well-mannered people are, the more civilised and pleasant everyday life is. ‘It is by politeness, etiquette and charity that society is saved from falling into a heap of savagery,’ so said William of Wykeham.
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| William of Wykeham |
‘Manners Makyth Man’ was the original motto of William of Wykeman, (1324-1404). William was the Bishop of Winchester; Chancellor of England; founder of Winchester College, New College, Oxford; New College School, Oxford and the builder of a large part of Windsor Castle.
William was born to a poor family in Hampshire and educated at school in Winchester. He had an illustrious career working as an architectural advisor for King Edward III, being appointed as Lord Privy Seal in 1363 and later being elected Bishop of Winchester and in 1367, Chancellor of England.
By the time of his death on 27 September 1404, William of Wykeham was one of the richest men in England with much of his wealth going to schools he patronised.
‘Manners Maketh Man’ is now the motto of the establishments which Wykeham founded; Winchester College and New College, Oxford. It is also the essay that I was forced to write for the one and only ever detention I received at school. I knew it would come in handy one day!
