PLAYING FIELDS OF ETON

a reference to a statement made by the Duke of Wellington (1769-1852), British general and prime minister from 1828 to 1830. The Duke of Wellington was educated at Eton College, the largest private secondary school in England and one of the most prestigious. Many of that nations most famous statesmen and soldiers were educated there. The Duke of Wellington once said that the battles of England were won on the playing fields of Eton and other English schools (probably from the fact that athletics were thought to be important in building physically and mentally strong men).