as reading, writing, arithmetic and the classics. Most if not all of the boys who attended the school would have then gone on to university, probably at Oxford. In 1562 the school received a Royal charter from Queen Elizabeth. From that point on the school was (and still is) known as the Royal Grammar School. The school operated in the old hospital until 1883 when funds were found for a new building. This was constructed just to the north of the old hospital, and the ancient building was finally demolished. In 1915 the school was then moved from this location altogether to its current location on Amersham Hill. National Monument Part of the original hospital building was pulled down in 1767 to make way for the widening of the main road so that it could be established as a turnpike. The south wall of the hall was taken down at this time, and the hall shortened from 15 metres to about 12 metres. At the time of demolition most of the remaining buildings were pulled down, but some parts of the building were left standing. This includes the north wall and five columns of the hall with four arches showing typical 12th century decoration and the north chapel wall with two half lattice windows from the 13th–14th centuries. These ruins still remain today. At the end of the 19th century the ruins left from the original demolition were strengthened using brick buttresses; in the early 20th century the columns and both walls were given stronger foundations of cement. In 1993 the ruins were declared an English national monument by English Heritage. Today they are well looked after and are lit up at night making them a local landmark. Notes This name is recorded on the plaque that stands outside the hospital ruin. Others record this person as William Chalfont. Others record this person as Christopher Chalfont. References External links Buckinghamshire Council Heritage Portal Google Maps Buildings and structures in Buckinghamshire English medieval hospitals and almshouses Defunct hospitals in England History of Buckinghamshire Ruins in Buckinghamshire 1180 establishments in England Hospitals established in the 12th century Hospitals disestablished in 1548 High Wycombe 12th-century establishments in England Scheduled monuments in Buckinghamshire