Jane Austen’s literary essence is her astute social commentary and satirical take on convention. In Austen’s novels, she challenges the constraints and inequalities placed on women in the Regency period, employing witty dialogue, sarcasm and irony. Austen portrayed her heroines as defiant of the gender expectations that society thrust upon them, whilst ensuring that they retained their powerful femininity.

Women at that time had very few legal, social or economic rights – few upper and middle-class women could own property, formal education was sparse, and a stigma was apportioned to a middle-class woman who worked for an income, such as Jane Fairfax in Emma. Marriage was therefore the only option for women to elevate their status and gain wealth and social acceptance, exemplified in the relationship between Charlotte Lucas and the sycophantic Mr. Collins in Pride and Prejudice.

Mansfield Park is Jane Austen’s most religious novel, positively presenting the theme of religion and depicting the model clergyman Edmund Bertram, who is quite different to the comical clergyman Mr. Collins in Pride and Prejudice.

Austen referred to the failings of the nation’s manners and morals critically in her novels, for example through the character Mary Crawford in Mansfield Park, who speaks of adultery as ‘acceptable as long as it was discreet’ and furthermore speaks disparagingly of religion, opposing Edmund’s view of adultery as sin. Mary belittles Edmund, mockingly quipping that she will next hear of him as ‘a missionary or a Methodist’. The sin of gambling is used to convey the moral failings of Pride and Prejudice’s villain George Wickham, whilst John Thorpe’s boasting of excessive drinking in Northanger Abbey demonstrates his unsavoury character.

Jane Austen contrasts such behaviours with more wholesome characters such as Fanny Price and Mr. Knightley, presenting moral growth as compatible with Christian ethics. Jane Austen also demonstrates her expectation of moral decorum in Persuasion, such as through criticism by Anne Elliot of her cousin, Mr. William Elliot, for travelling on a Sunday and missing church.

Jane Austen’s love of music was frequently embodied in the strong female characters of her novels, portrayed as domestic singers, pianists, or both – Georgiana Darcy, Mary Bennet & Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice); Anne Elliot (Persuasion); Jane Fairfax (Emma); and Marianne Dashwood (Sense and Sensibility). In contrast, Catherine Morland, the flighty young heroine of Northanger Abbey, could not ‘have been more delighted when the music master was dismissed’ – tinkling on the spinet was amusing for her but she did not take to a serious study of music. Perhaps, when Austen was constructing Catherine’s character, she had in her mind the title she ascribed in her own hand to a music book in the Austen’s collection: ‘Juvenile Songs and Lessons – for young beginners who don’t know enough to practise’.

In 1538, Thomas Wriothesley, who was connected to the College, took a lease of the land on St Catherine’s Hill. Although Winchester had no direct ownership of the land, the hills, surrounding valleys and bathing places became a playground for the College for more than three centuries.

Until 1859, Morning Hills, Afternoon (or Middle) Hills and, later, Evening Hills were compulsory expeditions for the whole school on Remedies (Tuesdays and Thursdays). In the 17th Century, quoits, hand-ball, bat-ball and a primitive version of Winchester football were played there and a maze was cut and used for races. In the mid 19th Century the school played cricket there in the summer and football in the winter.

In 1859 Morning Hills ceased to be compulsory and was abolished in 1860.  Rules about Afternoon Hills were relaxed in 1867 and the custom of going up Hills was abandoned altogether in 1868.

When the College’s access to Hills became threatened by tenants occupying the land, WA Fearon (Headmaster, 1884-1901) instituted the custom in memory of the old practice and Morning Hills took place on the first Monday of each Cloister Time and Short Half.

Although Fearon’s revival of Morning Hills in 1894 survives in limited form to this day, customary usage became a right, when in 1930 the Old Wykehamist Lodge purchased Hills and gave the land to the College.

Following its success last year, we put together a science activity for children to enjoy. Members of our science department as well as some of our pupils were on hand to help visitors with science experiments and deliver demonstrations.

We also hosted family-friendly craft sessions inspired by our Treasury collections, including zebra bookmarks, monkey masks and origami boxes!

In addition to our family-friendly crafts and acivities, we also enjoyed welcoming guests on free tours of our Archives, Fellows’ Library and War Cloister.

If you missed out, don’t worry – we still have lots of other tours coming up soon!

George Macpherson came to Winchester in 1909 and was in Turner’s House. He played cricket and soccer for his house and was Senior Commoner Prefect from 1914 to 1915 and Head of his House. He left in 1915 and quickly obtained a commission in the East Kent Regiment, transferring to the Machine Gun Corps in April 1916 and eventually joining the world’s first tank unit.

During the Battle of Flers-Courcellette, George’s tank was supporting an attack on a German stronghold called The Quadrilateral. None of the tank commanders had been able to reconnoitre the route so were dependent on special guides to lead them in the dark through a multitude of obstacles. George’s tank developed engine trouble which was fixed but shortly broke down again. Only one tank succeeded in getting through the German wire and was unable to prevail. George died during this first tank action, aged 20.

Explore the treasures of Winchester College’s collections, including works of art and rare books that are not normally on public display.

Visitors will explore the College’s original museum and art gallery and part of the Fellows’ Library where there is a changing display of rare books and manuscripts, prints, and drawings.

This tour allows a rare opportunity to view two medieval rooms which house the school’s archives, as well as documents and artefacts relating to the school’s history which will be on display. Tours are delivered by our College Archivist, Suzanne.