| Description | The Edmundian ("Avita pro Fide")was the first printed journal to be published by St Edmund's College, Ware. According to the editorial notes in the first issue, journals "of a public or semi-public nature" had been produced previously at St Edmund's, but few, if any of these had survived. A journal entitled "The Tyro" had once formed part of the Church library at the College, but by the time the Edmundian was printed in 1893, The Tyro had already disappeared from the library's collections. It was also noted that earlier versions of The Edmundian had appeared regularly in manuscript form from at least 1841 onwards, but only 5 copies of this journal had survived, covering the years 1841-1844, 1861-1862 and 1871-1872.
The printed version of the Edmundian was produced exclusively for past and present Edmundians, both staff and students, "to chornicle the passing events of college life as accurately as possible". The first issue was produced in July 1893, with subsequent issues appearing three times a year, usually April, July and December. The magazine was illustrated with photographs and provided information about building works, academic and sporting achievements, extra curricular activities, lists of staff members, news of former St Edmundians and obituaries of people connected with the College. In the 1920s, publication dates changed to February (later March), May and October each year. It also began to include a section called 'Musem Notes' which described recent additions to the books, manuscripts and aretefacts acquired by the College. Later issues included 'Old Boys' Notes/Column', which gave news about former Edmundians, and additions to the Library collection as well as other notable donations to the College.
The journal covers a very wide range of issues ranging from national and international events, such as coronations or wars, to the very local, such as building works and renovations. They record some of the minutiae of College life, including weather impacting on school activities and the periodic threat of epidemics breaking out.
The series held at Westminster Diocesan Archives comprises duplicate copies donated by St Edmund's College, Ware from their collection. |