William Grindal facts for kids

William Grindal (died 1548) was an English scholar. He was a close friend and student of Roger Ascham at St John's College, Cambridge. William Grindal became a teacher to Princess Elizabeth, who later became Queen Elizabeth I. He helped her learn Latin and Ancient Greek. Sadly, he died young from the plague in 1548.

Who Was William Grindal?

Very little is known about where William Grindal came from. Some people think he might have been from Cumberland. This is the same area where Edmund Grindal (who later became an Archbishop) was born. Both William and Edmund studied at the University of Cambridge around the same time.

A letter from Roger Ascham to Princess Elizabeth hints that they might have been related. After William's death, Ascham wrote that Elizabeth might not find a better teacher than "that other Grindal." This "other Grindal" might have been Edmund.

A Bright Student at Cambridge

William Grindal came to St John's College as a poor student. Roger Ascham, his teacher, wrote highly of him. Ascham said William studied Ancient Greek and Latin with him for about seven years.

William earned his first degree in 1541 or 1542. He became a Fellow (a kind of academic staff member) at St John's College in 1543. Ascham often called him "my Grindal," showing how close their friendship was. Ascham admired William's intelligence, memory, and good judgment.

Learning New Ways to Speak Greek

William Grindal studied at a time when teachers like John Cheke and Thomas Smith were changing how Ancient Greek was pronounced. This new way of speaking Greek helped students understand old texts better.

At first, Ascham didn't agree with these new ideas. But he soon changed his mind. King Henry VIII even made John Cheke the first Professor of Greek at Cambridge in 1540.

In 1542, Bishop Stephen Gardiner tried to stop these new teaching methods. But Cheke continued his work. He was translating a Greek book into Latin for the King. Ascham said he and Grindal learned a lot from Cheke reading classic Greek authors like Homer and Plato in his room. William Grindal was directly influenced by Cheke's new teaching style.

Teaching a Future Queen

In 1544, John Cheke was asked by King Henry VIII to teach Prince Edward. A few weeks later, Roger Ascham tried to get William Grindal a teaching job at the college. But some people at the college were against it. They thought Ascham was showing too much favoritism.

Ascham wrote to Cheke, explaining that Grindal was one of the best in Greek, but he was poor. He also said Grindal was very loyal to him. Just as Ascham was sending his letter, he found out that Grindal was called to court to help Cheke. Ascham wrote a postscript, recommending Grindal as a diligent, respectful, and honest person.

Grindal's Royal Role

William Grindal was chosen by John Cheke to teach Princess Elizabeth Ancient Greek. At the same time, Giovanni Battista Castiglione became her Italian tutor. Ascham wrote to Elizabeth, praising her excellent progress under Grindal and Lady Champernowne.

Katherine Champernowne (who married Sir John Astley) helped Elizabeth learn French, Italian, and Spanish. Ascham later wrote that Grindal's hard work laid the "first foundations" for Elizabeth's knowledge of Greek and Latin. He said he didn't know whether to admire Elizabeth's quick mind or Grindal's careful teaching more.

William Grindal's Death

William Grindal died from the plague in January 1548. Roger Ascham wrote that losing Grindal was like losing his own parents. He told John Cheke that Elizabeth would become very skilled in Latin and Greek if she continued as she had with Grindal.

Ascham wrote to Princess Elizabeth on January 22, 1548, to express his sadness about Grindal's death. He offered to become her tutor if she didn't want to follow the advice of Lord Admiral Seymour and Queen Katherine. They wanted Francis Goldsmith to replace Grindal.

Later, Ascham was indeed called to become Elizabeth's tutor. Both Ascham and Cheke kept their positions even after Seymour faced trouble.

Elizabeth's strong command of Latin stayed with her throughout her life. It was one of her special skills as queen. Once, in 1597, she gave a powerful speech in Latin to a Polish ambassador. She joked afterward in English, "God's death, my lords! I have been enforced this day to scour up my old Latin which hath lain long rusting!" Even if she said it was rusty, the strong foundation was built by Grindal and Ascham.

Family Life

William Grindal was married, but his wife's name is not well known. Records often just refer to her as William Grindal's wife. William Grindal had a daughter named Rachel Grindal (1538-1565). She married John Hooker.