Customs The Greaze thumb|right|Pupils fight for the pancake (left), watched by the Dean of Westminster and the Head Master (right). The set of scales determines the winner. The Greaze has been held "up School" (in the School Hall) on Shrove Tuesday since at least 1753. 1753 – "First recorded 'Pancake Greaze". The head cook ceremoniously tosses a horsehair-reinforced pancake over a high bar, which was used from the 16th century to curtain off the Under School from the Great School. Members of the school fight for the pancake for one minute, watched over by the Dean of Westminster, the Head Master, and the upper year groups of the school and distinguished or even occasionally royal visitors. The pupil who gets the largest weight is awarded a gold sovereign (promptly redeemed for use next year), and the Dean begs for a half-holiday for the whole school. Weighing scales are on hand in the event of a dispute. A cook who failed to get the pancake over the bar after three attempts would formerly have been "booked" or pelted with Latin primers, but that tradition has long lapsed. Coronation The privilege of being the first commoners to acclaim each new sovereign at their coronation in Westminster Abbey is reserved for the King's (or Queen's) Scholars. Their shouts of "Vivat Rex/Regina" ("Long live the king/queen!") are incorporated into the coronation anthem "I was glad". The tradition dates back to the coronation of King James II.Lawrence E. Tanner (1934), Westminster School: A History, Country Life Ltd, London, p. 36.
Customs The Greaze thumb|right|Pupils fight for the pancake (left), watched by the Dean of Westminster and the Head Master (right). The set of scales determines the winner. The Greaze has been held "up School" (in the School Hall) on Shrove Tuesday since at least 1753. 1753 – "First recorded 'Pancake Greaze". The head cook ceremoniously tosses a horsehair-reinforced pancake over a high bar, which was used from the 16th century to curtain off the Under School from the Great School. Members of the school fight for the pancake for one minute, watched over by the Dean of Westminster, the Head Master, and the upper year groups of the school and distinguished or even occasionally royal visitors. The pupil who gets the largest weight is awarded a gold sovereign (promptly redeemed for use next year), and the Dean begs for a half-holiday for the whole school. Weighing scales are on hand in the event of a dispute. A cook who failed to get the pancake over the bar after three attempts would formerly have been "booked" or pelted with Latin primers, but that tradition has long lapsed. Coronation The privilege of being the first commoners to acclaim each new sovereign at their coronation in Westminster Abbey is reserved for the King's (or Queen's) Scholars. Their shouts of "Vivat Rex/Regina" ("Long live the king/queen!") are incorporated into the coronation anthem "I was glad". The tradition dates back to the coronation of King James II.Lawrence E. Tanner (1934) Westminster School: A History, Country Life Ltd, London, p. 36.