Eton
Situated along the River Thames across the River Thames from its sister town of Windsor, Eton, though smaller than Windsor, nevertheless has its own charming character. Moreover, since the bridge across the river between Windsor and Eton was closed a few years ago to vehicles, Eton's high street has regained much of it 18th atmosphere that is generated by its old houses, inns and shops.
Eton, however, is most famous for its world renowned private school for boys, Eton College. Founded by King Henry VI in 1440 as King's College of Our Lady of Eton, it was originally a religious scholarly institution constructed around a chapel. By and large the chapel has retained its original splendour and remains one of the most spectacular examples of Perpendicular architecture in Britain. Among its most stunning features are its wall paintings, which are some of the finest in Europe. Having been whitewashed over by a college barber during the Reformation, they were rediscovered 300 years later and were fully restored only during the 20th century. The floor of the chapel is 13 feet above ground level in order to avoid flooding by the Thames.
Flanking the chapel is the large quadrangle that forms the hub of the college. Popularly known as the "School Yard", the quadrangle resembles the architectural style of the colleges making up Oxford and Cambridge universities. In the centre of the School Yard sits a statue of Henry VI at which bay leaves are laid every 6th December to commemorate his murder in 1471 by Edward IV, who subsequently took the Crown off him. Near the entrance to the upper school around the walls are inscribed the names of 2000 former Etonians who were killed during the two world wars. Many of those who fell in battle did so merely a few weeks after having graduated from the school.
Throughout its existence Eton College's reputation as a top school has increased. The College has been attended by some of the most famous people in British history, prime ministers, princes, poets, writers, soldiers, including the prime ministers the Duke of Wellington (1769-1852), William Gladstone (1809-1898) and William Pitt (the Younger) (1759-1806)the poet Percy B. Shelly (1792-1822) and more recently the princes William and Harry, sons of Princess Diana and Prince Charles. Visitors to Eton will be able to distinguish the pupils of Eton College by their uniform, a black cutaway morning suit and striped trousers.