BLUE COATS AND BLUE STOCKINGS

 This news picture of a pupil at Christ's Hospital, Horsham, E.Sussex, rang a bell with me, as many years ago I purchased a similar coat from a Brighton dealer during a severe snow storm, brand new (not 1552) thinking  the heavy Melton wool cloth would repel snow, rain and wind.  I was specially keen on Tudor clothing and my brother had purchased a broken -down Bluecoat school, in East  London., to restore.  I thought this would be an interesting bit of memorabilia for his project.  Alas! all the lead was stolen from the roof and the plan was a disaster, so the coat went to the back of the wardrobe where it has been ever since!   This is a generous size 14, as new,  full length with a brilliant mustard yellow flannel lining and some brass buttons inscribed Edouard VI Rex who presumably was the founder of the school, back in Tudor times.. It is now for sale.   Melton cloth, originally from Melton Mowbray, is a thick wool cloth with a short nap used for outerwear and overcoats - I think the guardsmen in London all wear them for sentry duty and ceremonials as it is almost impervious to rain and is eztremely warm.  Coat now SOLD