"You all know, of course, that Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago - the precise date is uncertain - by the four greatest witches and wizards of the age. They built this castle together, far from prying Muggle eyes, for it was an age when magic was feared by common people, and witches and wizards suffered much persecution." --Professor Binns The Hogwarts Four, the greatest witches and wizards of that long-ago time Professor Binns referred to, cooperated with each other in the creation of their dream: to establish a school to educate the children of the Wizarding World. It was a special school for the magic arts, one which was shielded from the attention of muggles with sorcercy. In our "modern" age, those who don't know, or who aren't magical, will merely see old ruins and a sign warning of dangers there, rather than the castle known as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Those who do know (including wizards, naturally, and also muggles who have children with magical abilities) come to learn that the four houses of Hogwarts have been named for the founders of the academy. Founder House (click banner) Sorting Hat Song Godric Gryffindor, who believed that anyone with magical abilities should attend the school. He particularly valued students who were daring and chivalrous. The sorting hat belonged to him originally, and he also left behind his ruby-encrusted sword, which is now in the possession of Albus Dumbledore. You might belong in Gryffindor, Where dwell the brave at heart, Their daring, nerve, and chivalry Set Gryffindors apart. Helga Hufflepuff, who is written up on her Famous Wizard card as having "brought people from different walks of life together to help build Hogwarts and was loved for her charming ways." She favored pupils who were hardworking, patient and fair-minded. You might belong in Hufflepuff, Where they are just and loyal, Those patient Hufflepuffs are true And unafraid of toil. Rowena Ravenclaw, who was friends with Helga Hufflepuff. According to her Wizard card the belief is that "she came up with the ever-changing floor plan. She's best remembered for her intelligence and creativity." Her preferred students were witty and learned. Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw If you've a ready mind Where those of wit and learning Will always find their kind. Salazar Slytherin, who spoke Parseltongue, the language of snakes. He also spoke about prejudice, for he believed only pure-blood witches and wizards should attend Hogwarts. Furthermore, he liked students who were ambitious and cunning, and being on the "shady" side did not bother him. Or perhaps in Slytherin You'll make your real friends Those cunning folk use any means To achieve their ends. Slytherin and Gryffindor increasingly came into disagreement about their choice of students, and Slytherin eventually left the school in a great rage. He was reported to have left something behind, though, a secret chamber which only his heir could open by using Parseltongue. The reason for the chamber was that it contained something to rid Hogwarts of "unworthy" muggles.