Earlier this week, we took 30 Year 8 students to Merchant Taylors’ Hall, Threadneedle Street, London, to find out the story of Walter Bigg. We discovered what a merchant was and the history of Wallingford School.

The students enjoyed sessions from the LAB school of tailoring, learned about merchants and trade in early modern London using portraits, looked at written sources and maps, and also how Wallingford School has developed since the early modern period. They finished off their day making wax seals for their very own indentures of the Merchant Taylors’ Company with the beadle.

A very enjoyable and interesting day was had by all, and the History department and students would like to say “thank you very much” to Professor Matthews Davies, Ellie Wilson (Curator), Victoria Wilson from LAB and Andy Fell (Beadle) as well as all the other staff who helped to arrange and make our day so special.

 - Miss G Simpkins, CCO of History

Photo credit: Merchant Taylors' Company