Ven. Henry Sanders

Henry Sanders was born in 1805 and baptised in Sowten Rectory. He died in 1888. He was a late student at Christ Church College, Oxford Completing a B.A with a 2nd in Literary Humaniones (Literature & Humanities?) in 1827 He also completed an M.A there in 1829.

He was 'First Master' (Headmaster) of Brundells Senior School from 1834 till 1847. Click here for details. In 1847 he became Rector of Sowton Diocese.

During this period he taught Richard Doddridge Blackmore who would go on to write the novel Lorna Doone: A Romance of Exmoor and also Fredrick Temple who would go on to become Bishop of Exeter and Archbishop of Canterbury. After leaving the school Fredrick and his old master Henry remained good friends

The following quotes are taken from Archive.org.

'In the Diocese of Exeter be found a supporter
in his old master, Mr. Sanders, then Prebendary in
Exeter Cathedral, and in many others.'

In 1875 Frederick made Henry Archdeacon of Exeter and Canterbury. (Sanders had already become Prebendarie of Exeter in 1867)

'After the Consecration the centre of interest
was transferred from Westminster to Exeter, where
the enthronement took place on Wednesday,
December 29. The Bishop spent the preceding
night at Sowton Rectory with the incumbent, his
old schoolmaster, Prebendary Sanders afterwards
to be promoted by him to the Archdeaconry of
Exeter. It was a memorable meeting. In the
lad whose strenuous struggle he had admired and
aided, whose future advance to high station in the
Church he, with other patrons of the boy, had
predicted, the former headmaster now welcomed
his Bishop. Prebendary Sanders was an inveterate
Tory, both in politics and churchmanship ; but for
Temple he was even willing to sacrifice Toryism ;
he stood by him when the tide was against him
before his coming, and though he grumbled at
times, and was always a little uneasy as to where
next the duckling whom he had reared might ask
him to follow into deep waters, yet he was always
absolutely loyal, true, like his pupil, to the core.
The meeting was not without its amusing side.'

More accounts of their friendship:


'A great gathering (numbering more
than two hundred) of old school-fellows, masters,
past and present, and friends of the school met at
Blundell's on April 22 in honour of the old school
boy who was now the Bishop of Exeter. Some
were there whose family name recalled the
Governors that had given Temple his exhibition
twenty -one years before. Earl Devon, chair
man of the Governors, presided, doing honour
to a great Blundellian. Prebendary Sanders
was there, rejoicing in the high fulfilment of the'
hopes which he had) formed for his pupil.

'It may be well here to quote two letters from the
Bishop to Prebendary Sanders, his right-hand man
in the diocese on all educational matters. They
emphasise, in the Bishop's own trenchant way, the
principles which lay behind the foregoing resolu
tions and his whole course of action in the diocesan
settlement :

May 4, 1879.

MY DEAR MR. SANDERS I send you the proposed resolu
tions under the first head. I should like to have them back
with your remarks by Monday evening next. You observe
that hitherto the one English principle has been to make
subscribers supreme over the administration of the money
subscribed.

Will you let me point out to you that the other principle
is the principle of the Church ?

The Church's mode is to collect money at an offertory.
The money so collected is administered by the clergyman
and churchwardens who need not have contributed a penny.

Following that analogy I propose a Committee which is
to stand to the diocese as the clergyman and church
wardens stand to the parish.

I think you will see that my plan is thoroughly true to
Church principles.

May 7, 1872.

Thank you for your criticism. I shall make some
modifications.

But I hold fast to my general principles. I want to
make the encouragement and aid of Religious Instruction
(as far as I can so make) a diocesan Avork, and not a work
taken up by individuals who combine. I do not want the
money to come first and the principles after. I want the
diocese to settle the principles and then let the money
follow.'

'and then the Bishop's
old master at Tiverton, Prebendary Sanders, a very Tory of
the Tories, and brimful of kindness and fun, between whom
and his old pupil there was a constant interchange of friendly
political repartee.'

In 1883 a window was created in Exeter Cathedral under the name
Sanders.
It was in the North Quire Aisle and was in memory of Caroline M.J. Sanders who
died 21st April 1882. It was an image of the accension.
Unfortunately it was destroyed by a bomb in WW2 and is now just a plain window.

The Acland Cup: The Acland family was prominent in Exeter and the surrounding area.
P. L. D. Acland was also a Prebendarie of Exeter Cathedral. There is a possibility that the
Acland Cup was given to the Sanders at some point. Its current location is most likely Killerton House
in Exeter which was owned by the Aclands.