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Ad Portas is a formal welcome by Winchester College to distinguished visitors. It translates as ‘At the Gates’. Since 1873, when the current version of the ceremony was first performed, we have welcomed 121 Honorands ‘Ad Portas’, including royalty, bishops and eminent Old Wykehamists.
The ceremony involves all pupils and staff gathering in Chamber Court. The distinguished guest is formally welcomed by the Aulae Prae (Prefect of Hall), who delivers a Latin speech. The distinguished guest then makes a speech in response, before the Sen Co Prae (Senior Commoner Prefect) calls for three cheers. An Evensong service followed the recent ceremony for Bishop Philip Mounstephen.
The ceremonies of Ad Portas and the Election of Scholars to Winchester and New College are closely bound by history. The statutes of Winchester College required that the Warden of New College along with two of his Fellows were to travel to Winchester annually for the Election of Scholars.
On their arrival at Winchester College for Election, the New College party would be greeted by the school, the Prefect of Hall delivering a Latin speech of welcome ad portas. Historical references to this arrival suggest that the welcome was conducted from under Middle Gate.
The Public Schools Act of 1868 resulted in changes to the election of scholars to both Winchester College and New College, meaning the Warden of New College was not required to be present at Election.
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, 1946
Bishop of Winchester (Alwyn Terrell Petre Williams), 1952
Queen Elizabeth II, 1955
Bishop of Winchester (Sherard Falkner Allison), 1962
Bishop of Winchester (John Vernon Taylor), 1975
Kenneth Clark, 1970
Bishop of Winchester (Colin Clement Walter James), 1985
Bishop of Winchester (Michael Scott Joynt), 1996
