A Brief History of the Commoner Boarding Houses

A GoBo resolution in 1931 decreed that all houses were to be officially known by the name of their first Housedon. The changes would be effected with the next change of HoDo. Exceptions were made for Kingsgate House and, subsequently Chernocke House. Until then, they were known by their house letter and postal address. Informally, they were known by the name of the current Housedon.  House nicknames came and went (some are noted below) but the nicknames that have stuck are all explained briefly as follow.

The list has been updated to include the two new houses.

A. Chernocke House (Furley’s)

Chernocke House was opened in St Thomas Street in 1859 by Rev H J Wickham with four (!) Commoners. It moved to its present location in 1912. J S Furley Esq was HoDo 1894-1909. Wickham, who remained as HoDo until 1888 was known as ‘The Beetle’. It is said that his muttonchops resembled a beetle, a style that the current HoDo occasionally grows in tribute. What we now call Furleyites once called themselves Beetleites.

B. Moberly's (Toye's)

Established by Rev H E Moberly in September 1860. Previously, known as 69 Kingsgate Street. A J Toye Esq succeeded Moberly and was HoDo 1880-99.

C. Du Boulay's (Cook's)

Established by Rev J T H du Boulay at 91 Cheesehill Street on 11 February 1862 and moved to Southgate Hill in June 1863. Southgate Hill was the first purpose-built boarding house at Win Coll. A K Cook Esq was the second HoDo 1893-1909

D. Fearon's (Kenny's)

Opened in January 1868 at 22 Kingsgate Street by Rev W A Fearon. Moved to Culver House in June 1869. T Kensington Esq was HoDo 1882-1904. 22 Kingsgate Street no longer exists but the address is consistent with Armoury or the old Fives Courts.

E. Morshead's (Freddie's)

Opened in January 1868 in Cheesehill Street by Frederick Morshead (HoDo, 1868-1905). Moved to Southgate Road, later named Southgate Corner in 1869.

F. Hawkins' (Chawker's)

Opened at Southgate House in Common Time 1869 by Rev C H Hawkins, known as the Chawker.

G.Sergeant's (Phil's)

Opened at Culver Lea in Short Half 1869 by Rev E W Sergeant as New Commoners closed. C B Phillips succeeded Sergeant in 1883.

H. Bramston's (Trant's)

Opened at Culver's Close in Short Half 1869 by Rev John Trant Bramston also as New Commoners closed. He remained in charge until 1908. Members of this house were once known as Rootites. Although widely known as ‘The Trant’, Bramston was known to some as ‘the root of all evil’, hence Rootite. One presumes this was an ironic term, given that Budge Firth, a much later housemaster of Trant’s described his predecessor in his 1936 book Winchester as ‘certainly the most beloved assistant master whom the school has ever known’.

I. Turner's (Hopper's)

Opened at Sunnyside in Short Half 1869 by E J Turner Esq who was known as the Hopper for his unusual walk.

K. Kingsgate House (Beloe's)

Opened in September 1905 by R D Beloe Esq. The 1931 edict kept the postal address as the formal house name.

L. St Cross (informal name TBC)

Opening in September 2026. The first Housedon will be Mrs KB Cole.

M. St Catherine (informal name TBC)

Will open in September 2027. The first Housedon is still to be announced.