Richard Frankland (tutor) facts for kids

Richard Frankland

Richard Frankland (1630–1698) was an important English nonconformist minister. He is famous for starting the Rathmell Academy, which was a special school for people who didn't follow the official Church of England. These schools were called dissenting academies. His academy was located in the north of England.

Richard Frankland's Life Story

Richard Frankland was born on November 1, 1630. His family lived in Rathmell, a small village in Yorkshire. He went to Giggleswick grammar school from 1640 to 1648. After that, he studied at Christ's College, Cambridge, starting in 1648. He was a very hard-working student and earned his degrees with high marks.

Early Ministry in the North

After finishing college, Frankland worked as a preacher in different places. These included Hexham in Northumberland and Houghton-le-Spring and Lanchester in County Durham. In 1653, he became a minister in the Presbyterian church.

He later became a chaplain at Ellenthorp Hall. Then, he worked as a curate in Sedgefield. Before August 1659, he became the vicar of Bishop Auckland, a rich church position. He was also considered for a role at Durham College, which was a new college that closed down when the king returned to power.

At Bishop Auckland, Frankland focused on his church duties. However, after the Restoration of the king in 1660, things changed. The official church became very strict. Frankland was one of the first people to be challenged for not following the new rules. The bishop offered him a better job if he would join the official church. Frankland refused. In 1662, a new law called the Act of Uniformity forced him to leave his church job. This law made it compulsory for ministers to agree to all the rules of the Church of England.

Starting the Rathmell Academy

In 1662, Frankland went back to his family home in Rathmell. He lived there quietly for several years. During this time, nonconformists in the north wanted to create schools like the old Durham College. They asked Frankland to start an academy, and he agreed.

Before opening his school, Frankland went to London. He felt he needed to speak to King Charles II. With help from a powerful friend, he met the king. Frankland told the king to "reform your life, your family, your kingdom, and the church." The king replied, "I will do what I can," and thanked him.

Frankland's School for Learning

In March 1670, Frankland started taking students at Rathmell. His first student was George Liddell, from a loyal but puritan family. Some students wanted to study law or medicine. His first students for religious studies were from the Independent church group.

After the Declaration of Indulgence in 1672, which allowed more religious freedom, Presbyterian students also joined. Frankland's school became very important. It was the first major nonconformist "academy."

The students at this "northern academy" studied many subjects. These included:

• Logic: How to think clearly and reason.
• Metaphysics: Ideas about existence and reality.
• Somatology: The study of bodies.
• Pneumatology: The study of spirits or souls.
• Natural philosophy: Early science.
• Divinity: Religious studies.
• Chronology: The study of dates and historical events.

Frankland taught in Latin. He also trained assistants, including his son, Richard. The school had strict rules, but Frankland was good at earning his students' trust. Morning prayers were at 7 AM. Lectures finished by noon. Students studied alone after dinner until 6 PM prayers. After supper, they discussed their day's work.

Students who wanted a degree would go to Scotland. There, they could get a degree after studying for one term. Frankland taught a total of 304 students. Many became important ministers in the north of England.

Moving the Academy Around

The academy had to move six times because of the difficulties faced by nonconformists. Frankland started preaching at Rathmell, and his solid sermons attracted a congregation. In 1674, he moved his academy to Natland, near Kendal, in Westmorland.

He faced a lot of opposition. In 1681, he was even excommunicated from the official church. This meant he was formally excluded from church membership. However, his friends helped him get this reversed.

In 1683, a law called the Five Miles Act forced him to leave Natland. This law said nonconformist ministers could not live within five miles of a town where they had preached. He moved his academy to Calton Hall in Kirkby Malham, and then to Dawson Fold in Westmorland in 1684.

In 1685, he moved to Hart Barrow, near Cartmel Fell. This spot was convenient for avoiding legal problems in either Lancashire or Westmorland. In 1686, King James II allowed more religious freedom for a short time. Frankland used this opportunity to move his academy to Attercliffe, near Sheffield.

However, in 1689, his favorite son died. This made him very sad, and he moved back to Rathmell.

Challenges and Later Years

Frankland brought his academy back to Rathmell. In his last nine years, he taught almost as many students as in the previous nineteen years. His church also grew.

Even though the Toleration Act of 1689 protected him as a preacher, he still faced challenges. Almost every year, authorities tried to close his academy. He was excommunicated again, but the king ordered his absolution.

In 1692, local church leaders asked the archbishop of York to close the academy. The archbishop, Sharp, met with Frankland. They had a friendly talk, and the archbishop said the problem was not Frankland's nonconformity. Instead, he said the area didn't need another school teaching "university learning." He also said it was against the bishop's oath to license such a school.

Despite this, the challenges continued. In 1695, a case against Frankland was dismissed. In 1697, he was brought to court again, but the case was postponed. His troubles continued until he died.

Death and Legacy

Richard Frankland's health began to fail in 1697. But he kept working until the very end. He died on October 1, 1698, surrounded by his students. He was buried in Giggleswick Church. His daughters placed a beautiful memorial tablet there. After his death, his student John Chorlton moved the "northern academy" to Manchester.

Family Life

Richard Frankland married Elizabeth Sanderson. She died in 1691. They had at least two sons and three daughters:

• John: Born in 1659, he died in 1679.
• Richard: Born in 1668, he died of smallpox in 1689.
• Barbary: Born in 1661, she died in 1662.
• Elizabeth: Born in 1664. She collected information for a book about her father.
• Margaret: She married Samuel Smith in 1701.

His Only Book

Richard Frankland only published one book. It was called Reflections on a Letter writ by a nameless Author to the Reverend Clergy of both Universities in 1697. This book is very rare today. It was a reply to a letter that asked for more understanding towards Unitarians (people with different religious beliefs). Frankland wrote his Reflections when he was not well, but they were considered very strong arguments.