Rugby School was founded as grammar school in 1567 and in that century three Masters were appointed to run the School. 

Originally there was only one master (teacher) to teach the boys and run the School and although the word headmaster was in use, in England, from c1545 they were not referred to as such. Perhaps this was because there were no other masters for them to oversee. Although the School was founded in 1567 the first master Edward Rolston was not appointed until the completion of the first School buildings in 1574. He resigned in 1579 and two more masters were appointed in the 1500s, the following are very short biographies about them.

Edward Rolston was appointed in 1574 on an annual salary of £12:
Born at Wemswood, Leicestershire, about 1545, he attended Christ's College, Cambridge achieving a BA in 1568 and MA in 1572. He resigned his position at Rugby School in April 1579, when he was ordained Deacon in the diocese of London.

Richard Scale was appointed master of Rugby School in 1579.
He was born in Warwickshire around the year 1555. Educated at Trinity College, Oxford he achieved a BA in 1578. Having been appointed by Trustee Barnard Field, he was no longer the Master by 1581. According to Rouse in A History of Rugby School it is unclear why Seale’s role came to an end. 

Nicholas Greenhill was appointed Master in 1581. Nothing is known about his birth or education however it is known that he was in Holy Orders. He was married to Elizabeth Fitzherbert, of Coventry and sister of John Emersion. Greenhill died early in 1604.

After Greenhill’s death in the early 1600s more masters were appointed, they will be discussed in future blogs.

For more information on early Masters read:

• W H D Rouse, A History of Rugby School
• Edited by E M Goulburn, History of Rugby School
• G H Bettinson, Rugby School