[2] The college was founded in 1442 when Louis de Rycke gave the University a former brewery that he owned to house seven poor students of the Faculty of Theology.

[3] The gift was confirmed on 5 June 1445, and was extended in 1462 when de Rycke bequeathed his own house and garden to the college.

Renovations began in the 16th century and continued throughout the college's history.

[2] When the French authorities confiscated the university buildings in 1797, the property was given to the city, which used it for a school.

In 1835 it was leased back to the refounded university as a hall of residence for Theology students.