The School That They Called Hardye’s

No, it’s not the Hardye who wrote books. Or the one who was in the navy. This Hardye was a wealthy man who lived in the time of Elizabeth I.

When the people of Dorchester, Dorset built themselves a freeschool and then found they couldn’t afford to run it Thomas Hardye took it on as a charitable trust and the people gave it his name.

Old Hardyeans will know the story but pupils of the present Thomas Hardye School don’t seem to be conversant with the history. The original Hardye’s, which was in South Street for more than 400 years before moving to Culliford Road, closed in1992 and is now a housing development.

The book ‘A Phoenix Rising’ tells the exciting history of the freeschool from 1569.

You can find out who Hardye was. What was the link of the freeschool with the New World, pirates and Puritans. The history of the valuable oak screen and why the famous poet, William Barnes, was turned down when he applied for the position of Headmaster. At that time Napper’s Mite was sandwiched between rival schools, Hardye’s and Barnes’ Academy.

Then there was the time the cows came to play cricket.

Hardye’s wasfor many years a small school which produced leaders in all walks of life.

If you want to know more about the history of Hardye's School, Dorchester,Dorset
E-mail ckerrydancer@aol.com Subject 'Hardye's'

Who was Hardye

Thomas Hardye (please note the 'e') whose name is given to the senior school in Dorchester, Dorset has a memorial in St. Peter's church in Dorchester.
The Hardye Arcade running off South Street was where the original school once stood from the 1500s to the mid 1900s.

Why is there no plaque in South Street?

This blog is in conjunction with another of my Blogs which is taken from 'A Phoenix Rising', the complete history of the school by Theodora Cochrane published by Percydale Press.
I feel very disappointed that Hardye Arcade in South Street, Dorchester has no plaque to denote the fact that for around 400 years it was the site of the most important school during that time in Dorchester.
The town should be proud of their heritage. From its beginnings the school nurtured men who made their marks in history.