This book, “View of the State of Europe during the Middle Ages, Vol. II”, by Henry Hallam, is the oldest prize currently in the possession of the Association. It was published in 1846, and presented to Walter Lowe Clay as the First Prize in General History at Christmas, 1848. There is no note of the Headmaster, the Rev. George Nun Smith MA, nor is there any record of who presented it (the first record of an official Prize giving is as late as June 1857). It is unusual in that the insignia and inscription are on the outer cover, so it is amazing how it has survived as well as it has! The insignia itself is also of interest, containing, as it does, the plain motto, “Insignia Villae de Preston.”. Several questions for the historians then!

The book had originally been discovered during a house renovation in Derby in 1970, but had lain in an attic since then. However, a lady, Norah Harper, recently came across it again whilst searching through her late husband’s possessions, and she contacted the Association on finding the Website address. Norah very kindly agreed to donate the book, and members who have seen it so far have been very impressed. It has, of course, been placed in the PGSA archive, and the Association would like to take this opportunity to put on record its grateful thanks to Mrs Harper.