Richard Tyxton, the keeper of the book, quickly reacted and smiled at the lord's daughter, who was sitting a few steps away, "I'm sorry, miss, I thought I was in Sutton Haugreve Village. ”

Isabel stood up from the bench and glanced at the empty entrance to the hall on the left, walked over to the bookkeeper with her hands behind her back and looked at him calmly, "Alright, Richard, say whatever you want." When the pastor comes, I don't have time to listen to you again. ”

"Yes, miss. Well, is the St. Michael's Church School, which you financed, still only intended to give children from poor families a free education? Richard, who had drunk some ale, spoke much more fluently and less nervously.

"Well, at least in the eyes of the church, the Bible can only be passed on if you learn to read and write." Isabel felt that it would be almost in vain to talk to a farmer from the countryside about the meaning of Renaissance education.

Moreover, England is still a hierarchical and well-ordered kingdom, and it is impossible for the children of the common class to enter secondary schools and universities where the children of princes and nobles and wealthy merchants are gathered. Therefore, the only way to improve the educational attainment of the children in the villages in the father's domain was to use the church schools, which had their roots in the Middle Ages, to provide free education.

The lord's daughter's answer was expected by Richard, so his expression did not change much, but he nodded and said, "Miss, His Majesty the King is the representative of God in secular society, and my children are His Majesty's subjects like the children of countless other families in the kingdom. So, I think my children have the right to education with children from poor families. ”

"Who do you think would stop your children from going to school?"

"Miss, St. Michael's School admits students to children from poor families, and I and several other children from wealthy families are not eligible for admission."

Isabel folded her arms over her chest again and paced back and forth in front of Richard. "Richard Tyxton, did you know that if you admit children from wealthy families, this school will no longer be a church school with free education? ”

Richard smiled and nodded, "Miss, I see what you mean, you plan to build another school that only admits children from wealthy families." ”

"Really?" Isabel smiled slightly, but did not say anything. The words "public and private" had indeed crossed her mind before.

Nor is it a bad idea to build a private school for the children of wealthy families to receive an education. After all, this society was originally a society that emphasized hierarchy and order, and almost everyone strongly admired the idea that God created and arranged everything—in heaven, on earth, and in water to present the most perfect order. In heaven he arranged the order of archangels and angels, and on earth he appointed kings, princes, and rulers under them, all in the necessary good order...... People of all capacities obey their position, they obey God's call, and they do their part and follow order.

"Why don't you build an independent school (a private school that is financially independent of the government, i.e., a school that does not accept some or no government resources) that is funded by the rich and whose students have to pay tuition?!"

"I can contribute half of the money and let the rich people donate the rest. However, since the rich pay to send their children to school for education, the teaching resources and the quality of tutors in schools can no longer follow the teaching methods of medieval church schools. ”

"These children from wealthy families can receive an education that is mainly humanistic. Of course, religious and moral education courses for devout belief in God still need to be offered, but they cannot occupy an absolute authoritative position. ”

It seems that such a good humanist tutor can only be hired from Oxford or Cambridge. Damn, where will the money be raised to hire university professors? ”

Isabel thought about it and stopped, turning to look at the rich farmer, "Your opinion is very good. It's just that the cost of building a school ......"

Richard hurriedly stepped forward and looked at her with a smile, "Miss, you don't have to worry about the cost of building a school, this money can be borne by our wealthy families." Of course, you can donate a small amount if you wish. ”

Isabel was pleased with his answer, making a joke in passing, "So, who will take the position of headmaster?" ”

Richard knew that the opportunity to honor the lord's daughter had come, and hurriedly said respectfully: "You are the lord's daughter, and you can not only serve as the headmaster of St. Michael's school, but also become the headmaster of the second school without dispute. ”

At this moment, the hallway manservant eagerly entered the hall, followed by the Rev. Roger Eslip, who had a Bible in hand. Isabel looked at the priest from a distance, nodded slightly, and then looked at Richard, "Okay, you go back and discuss with a few other wealthy families how much money you plan to donate to build a school." After you have agreed, come back to me. ”

"As you wish, miss." The wealthy clerk farmer actually became polite, bowed, and walked in the direction of the priest. When passing by the pastor, he did not forget to greet the pastor.

Pastor Eslip came to Isabel, maintaining the reserve and etiquette of a church person, and nodded slightly at her, "May God bless you, Miss Isabel." ”

"Good day, Pastor." Isabel smiled reservedly with her hands behind her back, then turned her face to look at the hallway manservant standing on the side, "You go and tell your lord that the priest is here." ”

"Pastor, sit down and talk." Isabel sat down on a bench for the guests, sat down next to the pastor and smiled softly, "Pastor, the purpose of bringing you here today is to preside over a vow-taking ceremony. ”

While waiting for her father's arrival, Isabel mysteriously recounted the reason and purpose of her vow. After hearing this, Pastor Eslip sat down on the bench silently, and after a long time spoke, "Miss, you are a young lady with noble noble blood, how... How can sin easily defile your bloodline? ”

Isabel looked sideways at the priest with a smile, and the four fingers of her left hand tapped the armrest lightly, and said leisurely, "Pastor, in 1500, King Henry VII fled to Calais, France, with his court ministers to escape the plague that broke out in the city of London, is this true?" ”