700 pupils and staff lined the chamber court at Winchester College to welcome Bishop Philip as he received the ancient tradition of ‘Ad Portas’.
Latin for ‘at the gates’, the Ad Portas is a formal welcome to distinguished visitors and the highest honour the college can bestow. It has previously been given to members of the royal family, politicians and eminent past pupils known as Old Wykehamists.
Bishop Philip said, “It’s a great honour. It’s a very ancient ceremony and I think it celebrates the long historic connection between the Bishop of Winchester, therefore the Diocese of Winchester, and Winchester College.
“Winchester College was set up by one of my predecessors William of Wykeham. In many ways it wasn’t just an educational establishment, it was a school of character, a school of virtue, those were the things that he really valued, and I think that’s a rich legacy.”
The ancient ceremony of Ad Portas has been revised, with the ‘modern’ tradition dating to 1873. It involved the ringing of the chapel bells ahead of the bishop’s arrival through the gates of the college, accompanied by the Warden, Fellows and Headmaster.
In the centre, the Aulae Prae (senior scholar) gave the formal welcome to Bishop Philip in a speech both in Latin and English. In his reply, Bishop Philip referred to how our heritage has shaped the diocese, college and the wider world. He said, “We should be faithful to the rich past by committing ourselves, both college and diocese, to a rich future marked by learning, by serving, by growing and by loving. There is no greater gift we can make to this world than that.”
The Bishop of Winchester also holds the position of ‘Visitor’ of Winchester College, a role established by William of Wykeham to ensure the statutes he laid down are maintained.
Sir Richard Stagg KCMG, Warden of Winchester College said, “It was a pleasure and an honour to receive Bishop Philip Ad Portas. The occasion symbolised the close and productive relationship between the cathedral and the college. He is our Visitor, and therefore the most senior figure in the college’s hierarchy. The role has been filled by the Bishop of Winchester since the 1390s. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Bishop Philip in the years to come.”
The last Ad Portas was given five years ago to Sir Nick Carter who was an Old Wykehamist and the UK’s Chief of the Defence Staff so, for many pupils this was the first time they had witnessed this piece of history.
Pictures show previous recipients of the Ad Portas including King George VI in 1946, and past pupils Nawab of Pataudi (acclaimed Indian cricketer) and Richard Noble (world land-speed record holder). Queen Elizabeth and King Charles, when he was Prince of Wales, were also welcomed Ad Portas.
Previous Bishops have been given the honour including Michael Scott-Joynt in 1996, John Taylor in 1975, Falkner Allison in 1962 and Alwyn Williams in 1952.
Many of Bishop Philip’s family and friends were invited to watch the ceremony along with members of the clergy.
Bishop Rhiannon said, “It has been quite extraordinary. We’re standing in the most amazing square surrounded by all the staff and students at Winchester College and Bishop Philip, with his colleagues and his friends. In his speech he made the links between the cathedral and the college and the diocese and he talked about learning, growing, serving and loving. There was a great sense of history and occasion and it’s an honour and privilege to be here to cheer Bishop Philip on.”
Finally, there were three cheers for Bishop Philip and the ceremony continued with Evensong in the Winchester College Chapel and a dinner in the College Hall.
