Oratorian College, Mechelen

This agreement came into effect in July 1450, after papal permission had been granted for the laicisation of an ecclesiastical institution and office (that of scholaster).

Between 1450 and 1522 a number of buildings on what would come to be called the Schoolstraat were amalgamated and extended to create the civic Grootschool (great school).

Teaching appointments and the decision whether pupils from the poor school would be funded to study further at the Grootschool lay with a board consisting of members of the city magistracy.

The Jesuits had offered to take over the running of the school, and the city council was not averse to this change of management, but the archbishop's opposition prevented it.

[1] On 12 March 1630 Archduchess Isabella granted permission for the running of the Grootschool to be transferred from the city to the Congregation of the Oratory, which revived the school's lustre but led to renewed rivalry with the Jesuit college.