We are publishing a series of research guides on the Guide to Holdings section of this website. The guides contain information on the documents held at the St George’s Chapel Archives and Chapter Library, provide introductions to a range of topics relating to the history of St George’s Chapel, and suggest relevant secondary texts for consultation.

Research guides on the College of St George and the Properties of the College are now available to view online.

The first covers the history of the College, describing its initial foundation, the structure and positions of authority within the College, and the changes made over the years. The second describes the properties administered by the Dean and Canons of Windsor throughout England and Wales, the people responsible for their management, and the records held on these.

A new research guide has been added on the Guide to Holdings pages of our website. The latest in the series is on the Naval Knights of Windsor.

Set up to provide support to retired seamen, the institution was intended to operate along the lines of the already established Military Knights of Windsor. In 1799, land was purchased in Datchet Lane for the construction of living quarters for the Naval Knights, and Travers College was built.

However, by the 1860s it was clear that the ideal of devout men living in common was not being achieved. The records reveal many instances of fighting, drunkenness and profane language among the Naval Knights, along with their complaints about compulsory attendance in chapel and their enforced bachelorhood. In 1892, the institution was formally disbanded and the buildings became St George’s School.

Further information on the Naval Knights, including what records we hold, can be found in the new research guide.

Eleanor Cracknell (Assistant Archivist)

We are publishing a series of research guides on the Guide to Holdings section of this website. The guides contain information on the documents held at the St George’s Chapel Archives, provide introductions to a range of topics relating to the history of St George’s Chapel, and suggest relevant secondary texts for consultation.

Research guides on the Order of the Garter and the Military Knights are now available to view online.

In the following weeks we shall be adding a number of additional research guides, covering a range of topics including the history of the College of St George, the properties administered by the Dean and Canons of Windsor throughout England and Wales, and the art and architecture of the Lower Ward of Windsor Castle.

John (Archives Assistant)