It was on a cold winter’s morning, and in the middle of a snow storm when the postman delivered a registered letter from the College of Preceptors. I was aware that the word ‘preceptor’ was used in Victorian times to describe a teacher. Yet in those years, the college, founded in 1846, not only achieved pioneering fame but also occupied a unique position in Britain’s national heritage. Some time before the letter arrived, I had put cursory feelers out to the preceptors in a bid to research their history. I was friends with the college’s marketing and academic officer, Judith Roberts, and I had a good track record and reputation as a family historian. I had also worked as a research assistant for the preceptors previously, researching into their exams for teachers working at home or overseas. Judith had indicated that she hoped to put some more work my way, but I hadn’t given the matter much more thought until I received the letter. The preceptors were about to celebrate their 150th anniversary. To my delight, they wanted to give me the task of researching their past and
