Omerian Guilds
A Guild is a collection of individuals that play a similar role within a community, notably in terms of a profession in Medieval times. Upon joining as a pupil in Meister Omers, you are sorted into one of five Guilds named after former Housemasters and notable old boys. Each Guild is its own community where members support one another and get to know each other across year groups. They are especially helpful for new pupils to settle into life at King's as soon as possible.
Meister Omers runs regular round table meetings where representatives from each Guild come together to discuss the House and make a real mark on the House's culture. Alongside this, each Guild competes against throughout the year for glory and food.
Beaufort
Ex his muris, viri surgunt
Guildmasters: King
The House of Beaufort is an English noble family which originated in the fourteenth century as the legitimated issue of John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, by Katherine Swynford. The Beauforts were legitimised by Pope Boniface IX and by royal proclamation of the reigning monarch, King Richard II the following year. The House of Beaufort is also linked to The House of Tudor with Henry VII’s mother being of House Beaufort.
Beaufort guild is named after Cardinal Henry Beaufort, half-brother of King Henry IV. Cardinal Beaufort is responsible for the renovation and extension of Meister Omers in the fifteenth century.
Chillenden
Guildmasters: Ryan
Chillenden Guild’s namesake is Thomas Chillenden who rebuilt the Nave of Canterbury Cathedral from 1391-1400 and resided in Meister Omers. He served as the Prior of Canterbury from 1391 up until 1410. In 1399 (two years before the death of Geoffrey Chaucer) Thomas Chillenden repaired and extended Meister Omers eastward, incorporating two oriel windows.
Thomas Chillenden was the last Prior of Canterbury to attend the English Parliament, and was called by King Richard II to a meeting in Oxford in 1399. His job here was to give advice to the king about the Western Schism. This was a time when there were two or even three Popes at once, causing a large split in the church.
Harris
Ductus exemplo
Guildmaster: Brian L
The English Harris family history is extensive, primarily originating as a patronymic "son of Harry" (a diminutive of Henry) in Southern England and Wales after the Norman Conquest.
Early records from the 12th century, becoming widespread by the 1400s, and later appearing in Ireland (often from Gaelic Ó hEarchadha) and North America, reflect diverse origins including potential Greek or Jewish influences in some branches.
Harris guild is named after Mr Harris, second Housemaster of Meister Omers from 1942-45.
Olsson
La pasion
Guildmaster: Joshua L
The Olsson family history is deeply rooted in Scandinavia, particularly Sweden. Popularised by figures such as St. Olaf and common due to Viking heritage.
Olsson families spread across Scandinavia and globally through migration. Representatives of the family are often found in historical documents and census records in the UK from the Middle Ages onward.
Olsson guild is named after Mr Olsson, founding Housemaster of Meister Omers from 1936-42.
Pryor
Ex provocatione composuerunt
Guildmasters: Oliver D
The name Pryor (Prior) reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Prior family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest in 1066.
Prior is a name for a monastic official immediately subordinate to an abbot having derived from the Old English word ''prior'', meaning superior, and indicates that the original bearer of the name held this position.
Prior guild is named after Mr Prior, fourth Housemaster of Meister Omers from 1949-60.