Our history
Meister Omers, popularly known as MO, was built in the fifteenth century by Cardinal Beaufort. However, the first mention of Magister Omer, where Meister Omers likely takes its name, dates back to 1249. It has had a distinguished history: Edward IV held a Parliament here in 1470, Cardinal Coligny died here under suspicious circumstances in 1568, and the royal coat of arms of Queen Elizabeth I in the hall marks her visit in 1573. It became a boys’ boarding house in 1936.
The house sits on the Brick Walk between the main school campus and St Augustine’s, adjacent to Luxmoore and Linacre and reputedly has one of the widest fireplaces in England.
Notable former pupils include Tunku Imran (Former President of the Commonwealth Games Federation), Oz Clarke OBE (wine expert), and James Turner MBE (Former Team Leader of the Red Arrows).
Notable events in Omerian history
1396​
1397
1399
1433
1448
1453
1470
1568
1583
1946
Lady Joan De Mohun made her will at Master Omer's, leaving embroidered hangings to the Prior and the residue of her estate to the Church of Canterbury. Two days later she died and was laid to tomb in the undercroft.
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John Buckingham, keeper of the Privy Purse for Richard II and Bishop of Lincoln, resigned his seat when the Pope wished to translate him to Lichfield. The Prior and Monks of Canterbury received him into confraternity and allotted ''for his use the house commonly called Master Omers''. There the Bishop died a year after.
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Thomas Chillenden, the rebuilder of the Nave, came to reside here nine years after becoming Prior. After nobly ruling as Prior for twenty years five weeks and five days, on the day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, closed his last day at Master Omers in 1415.
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Cardinal Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester, great uncle of Henry VI, was admitted into confraternity by the Prior and monks who ''re-decorated Master Omers for his use''. He was often there until his death and bequeaths valuable gifts to the Priory.
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Prior John Elham did at Master Omers.
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The Duke of Somerset, on becoming Captain of Calais and adjoining marshes, was given the use of the house ''called of old (antiquitus) Master Omers; but now-a-days (modernis) le Cardinally's place''. Two years later the Duke was killed in battle and the endeavour to connect the name of the Duke's uncle, Cardinal Beaufort, with the house fell into disuse.
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King Edward IV held the 'Great Council' in Meister Omers. This was a mini-parliament of Lords and Bishops.
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After the Dissolution (1538)
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Odet de Coligny, Cardinal of Chatillon and brother of Admiral de Coligny who was killed in the massacre of St Bartholomew. Being suspected of Huguenot sympathies, he fled for refuge to Canterbury and lived at Meister Omers until his mysterious death. Rumour spoke of a poisoned apple.
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In the Acts of Chaper, 14th October, the Dean and Chapter record spending £300 on entertaining Queen Elizabeth and agreeing to pay the charges out of fines. In 1573 the Queen had been the guest of Archbishop Parker, staying at St Augustine's College; can it be that on her second visit she was housed at Meister Omers? The house has to this day a fresco with the prayer ''God save our Quene Elizabeth'' in the hallway, likely commemorating this visit.​
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Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II, visited Meister Omers after inspecting the bomb damage of Canterbury with her parents.
Historic floor plan
