Coke

Coke House was founded in 1945 and is named after Sir Edward Coke, who was Speaker of the House of Commons and Attorney-General under Elizabeth I and was Chief Justice under James I. Coke was a zealous prosecutor of Sir Walter Raleigh (“Thou art a monster. Thou hast an English face but a Spanish heart”) and of the Gunpowder Plot conspirators. He is attributed with coining the phrase: "the house of an Englishman is to him as his castle". He laid the foundations of his family’s great wealth and is without doubt one of the most influential legal minds this school has ever produced. 

Cokesians are expected to make the very best of their individual academic, musical and sporting talents, and to use those talents both for their own improvement and for the betterment of others. While inter-house competition is enjoyed, co-operation is highly valued, fairness is paramount and winning is a consequence of hard work. 

Much of Sir Edward’s influence lives on today and, in some small way, this House follows his lead with a balanced perspective, an open mind, and a determination to do what is right.