"Good, boy. Get over my knee," he said, patting the bed covers that lay across his lap. I did as I was told, clambering across and waiting nervously for him to begin. My bottom quivered as he held the cool brush against my right cheek.
"Ten strokes, which you will count and thank me for. If you miscount, we will start again so pay attention. Are you ready?" he said.
"Yes, Sir," I said, although not sure how it would feel.
WHACK! He brought he brush down hard in the centre of my right cheek, causing me to squirm and moan.
"One, thank you Sir," I managed.
"Quicker next time," he said before bringing the hairbrush down hard again.
"Two, thank you, Sir," I replied.
Part One
The City Guild University was founded in 1908 and had been providing higher education for boys 18-23 ever since. One of the few private universities in the UK, located in central London, it only admitted some of the most intelligent young men in the country. It was different to other institutions in many ways, from the style of delivery of teaching through to the structure and discipline it provided. It's appeal, less so for the boys and more so for parents and guardians, was the firmness it provided.
The university was single sex, with a view that young women would prove an unnecessary distraction when seeking academic attainment. The boys were accommodated within the university for the entirety of their degree and were given special privileges according to their year of study, academic performance and behaviour.
First and second year boys were placed in twin bedrooms, with four bedrooms making up each hall. They would be allocated their room at the start of the first year, and providing there were no issues, would remain sharing the same room until their third year. In their third year they were given a private room, in a block of six, to allow them to focus on their final exams.
It was a view shared by the founders, and passed down the generations of Chancellor's that uniform would be mandatory through university life. The uniform would be standardised for all three years of study, and would mark each boy as equal amongst their peers. The uniform, not too dissimilar to one worn at Grammar Schools, would consist of the following: a black jumper, a long-sleeved white shirt, a blue and silver striped tie, black trousers, white briefs, black shoes and socks. The uniform would remain the same all-year round, with the boys given the option of removing the jumper in the third term if the weather was too hot.
The stipulation of what underwear a boy was permitted was frequently a topic of discussion, with some feeling it was childish. The view of the University senior leaders was that men wore boxer shorts, and these boys would not be considered men until after graduation. Therefore, white briefs would be the most appropriate for their time of study. Unsurprisingly, the stance of the university when it came to discipline set it apart from many others. It had a long-standing tradition that boys whose academic performance is below par or who's general behaviour is poor, would be disciplined in the same manner. This meant corporal punishment, which was always applied to a boy's bare bottom. As they were eighteen, they were legally adults and therefore would consent to following the rules of the university.
The discipline was firm but fair, with discipline often beginning with the hand before moving onto more effective implements like the slipper, tawse and cane. There were two levels of cane, the junior and senior, and the use of which would be determined by the boy's year of study and offence. Boys in the first year were given the junior cane, unless the offence was determined serious enough for the senior cane. Boys in their second and third year received the senior cane regardless of nature of offence.
It was fair to say most boys hated this method of discipline, although over the years there were patterns of behaviours from lads that suggested they rather enjoyed the thrill of it. There were also rumours, never proven and naturally denied by the university, that boys would sometimes thank their spanker for the discipline received. The suggestion was that following the slippering or caning, a boy would kneel and orally pleasure the Master who spanked him.
In a university with boys aged 18-23, it seemed highly likely that there was a level of homosexuality that went on. The boys were together almost twenty-four-seven and naturally would develop affection for one another. Sex wasn't banned at the school, but was strictly to be kept private, and if any boy was to be caught in any compromising position, they would likely feel the cane on their bare arse.
Places at the university were highly sought after, particularly amongst the upper classes as it demanded wealth to accept higher than average fees. A year's study would typically cost in the region of £60k, with this figure including tuition, accommodation and all meals. This figure had grown with inflation and was one of the highest even amongst the private institutions.
I was very academically bright, but with almost no common sense which had been my undoing throughout my teenage years. I had lost both my parents in a freak boating accident when I was very young and had been placed in the care of my grandparents. They were kind but stern and had little time for my teenage nonsense. They were wealthy, and my grandfather's connections were enough to see me interviewed at the university to study there. To my surprise I passed the interview and entrance exam and have arrived at the university to start my first term.
Edward Harwood, room 443.
I found my name and room number on the noticeboard at the grand old entrance to the university building. The university was tucked away in the Buckinghamshire countryside, close enough to the capital to attract the students it wanted without the buzz of the big city being a distraction. It was a mix of old and modern buildings, with some of the highest-level technology in existence.
I was sharing a room with a guy named Scott Williams, who was already unpacking when I arrived. He was stocky, with thick arms and legs, and I wasn't surprised to learn he was a rugby player. He shook my hand firmly, leaving my hand a little red afterwards, and pointed out my bed in front of me. He had taken the bed nearest the window, and the desk that overlooked the university grounds. First-come, first-served, I thought begrudgingly as I began to unpack too.
Our uniforms were already hung in the wardrobe, and we had a small section for casual clothes which would be permitted at the weekend. I put away a few of my belongings before laying on the bed for a few minutes. It was Sunday evening, and we had an introductory meal with all other students before teaching started on Monday morning.
The university only offered eight courses, and they were all the traditional subjects one would think of. History, Classics, Literature and Music made up the humanity subjects, with Law, Maths, Chemistry and Physics for those more scientifically persuaded. I was studying Literature and was surprised to learn that Scott was learning Law. He explained that his father and grandfather were both barristers, so he was given very little option but to follow in their footsteps.
The university, very unlike any other institution, didn't publish details of students who studied there, or alumni. They felt that the reputation of the university was strong enough that it's students and graduates preferred a level of discretion. On CVs, if such thing was required as most people got jobs on their name alone, graduates would simply write CGU, and employers would know exactly what they meant.
Dinner was fine, and it was nice to chat to some of the other students who all had far more glamorous and exciting families than mine. I just listened, nodded along and would occasionally comment otherwise staying silent. Scott sat further down the table than me, but I could still make out his deep and manly voice as he told another tale from the rugby pitch. I was grateful to make it to bed that evening and was asleep within seconds.
We shared a shower block of four, with two separate bathrooms at either end of the corridor. We would be expected to shower together, and any hopes for a level of privacy within the hall were quickly dismissed. But it was still a surprise to wake up on Monday morning to see a fully naked Scott walk through the door and past the end of my bed. His thick muscly legs and firm arse the last thing I saw as I clambered out of bed myself.
Aware of the rules around punctuality, I had a quick shower and left plenty of time to arrive at my first lecture. The lectures were small with just nine of us studying Literature in our first year, so there was little chance of sitting at the back and not paying attention. They were taught in two-hour blocks with typically a lecture and seminar per day, leaving four hours for reading and personal study. You were expected to read two books a week and write an essay on one or two each fortnight so the study time should be used wisely.
