THE MYSTERY

Finally, a bit of a mystery.

Three ‘Coats of Arms’ incorporating the ‘Harley shield’ (plain background with ‘Bend cottised t – a broad stripe) are displayed on the buildings. The arms in a small relief on The ‘Residence’ is with a ‘Beacon Tower’ as a crest; the same design is depicted in a small stained glass window over the door of ‘Harley House’; the large arms relief displayed over the school room door has lost it’s crest. Nichol’s book states that the school room arms are Thomas Harley’s – arms which have a Lion ‘s Head crest, see illustration below. Two Harley crests? The date of the school room arms, 1716, provides a clue. The ‘Beacon Tower’ version may be those of Francis Harley. Francis had laboured for thirteen years to bring his uncle’s charity to fruition and may well have viewed the result as a Harley family project. Thomas had donated the means to the funds after his death, but it was the living who had done, and would continue to do, all the work. It would be understandable if Francis chose to display the Arms of his grandfather, and Thomas’ father, Francis Harley. Francis, the nephew, finally died in 1715, aged seventy five years, having been a senior trustee and associated with the Charity for forty five years. Shortly after, Mary’s husband, John Bainbrigge, erected the over large and decorative Thomas Harley Arms relief and inscription panel that dominates the school room frontage. He died the next year.  Why did he feel the need after forty five years, to make such a public, and no doubt expensive, statement? Perhaps as a gesture to Mary, restating her father’s generosity and ‘reclaiming the Charity in his name. Or simply taking the opportunity to be named and associated with it in a permanent manner – after all, the inscription has survived.

But, if the last suggestion was accurate then he has failed miserably – foiled by the weather and careless workmanship.