Eton Montem Eton Montem Eton Montem (or "ad Montem" – literally "to the Mountain") was a custom observed by Eton College from at least 1561 until it was finally suppressed in 1847, at the Montem Mound (or Salt Hill) in Chalvey, Slough, Buckinghamshire (later Berkshire). The mound is situated some 2 miles from the college near the London to Bath coach road, now the A4. Montem is first reported in William Malim's "consuetudinarium" (book of customs) of 1561, when it seems to have been an initiation ceremony for new boys, who were scattered with salt (which can mean 'wit' as well as
Eton College Collections (the latter by appointment only). It houses rare books and manuscripts of immense cultural value, including a Gutenberg Bible and pages from the manuscript of Darwin's Origin of Species. Facilities include: a readers' room for researchers, on-site and remote reference services, teaching support for the College, specialist group and school visits, regularly changing exhibitions and imaging services. The College Archives contain many of Eton College's important documents made about it since it was founded. They also include a list of the boys who have attended Eton (although until the late nineteenth century, only the King's Scholars are listed). The Eton