Arras College was a Catholic foundation in Paris, a house of higher studies associated with the
University of Paris
The University of Paris (), known Metonymy, metonymically as the Sorbonne (), was the leading university in Paris, France, from 1150 to 1970, except for 1793–1806 during the French Revolution. Emerging around 1150 as a corporation associated wit ...
, set up in 1611. It was intended for English priests, and had a function as a House of Writers, or apologetical college. This aspect of the college was prompted by the 1609 foundation of
Chelsea College in London, designed for the production of polemical Protestant literature.
[Dodd's ''Church history of England from the commencement of the sixteenth century to the revolution in 1688'' (1839), pp. 135-7.]
The original Arras College had support from Thomas Sackville, third son of
Thomas Sackville, 1st Earl of Dorset
Thomas Sackville, 1st Earl of Dorset (153619 April 1608) was an English statesman, poet, and dramatist. He was the son of Richard Sackville, a cousin to Anne Boleyn. He was a Member of Parliament and Lord High Treasurer.
Biography Early lif ...
, and
Philippe de Caverel
Philippe de Caverel, Latinisation of names, Latinized as Philippus Caverellius (1555–1636), was an abbot of the Benedictine Abbey of St Vaast, Arras, and a councillor of state to the Archdukes Albert VII, Archduke of Austria, Albert and Isab ...
, abbot of St. Vedast's in
Arras
Arras ( , ; ; historical ) is the prefecture of the Pas-de-Calais department, which forms part of the region of Hauts-de-France; before the reorganization of 2014 it was in Nord-Pas-de-Calais. The historic centre of the Artois region, with a ...
, enlisted by
Augustine Bradshaw
Dom Augustine Bradshaw (1575–1618) was a Benedictine monk. Born John Bradshaw near Worcester in 1575 to recusant Roman Catholic parents, he was sent to Royal Grammar School Worcester (a "free school", i.e. with no religious affiliation). He w ...
(John White), providing its name.
Among those setting up the college, near Porte St Victoire, were
Richard Smith, who had gained papal approval for it,
Anthony Champney
Anthony Champney (c. 1569 in England – c. 1643 in England) was an English Roman Catholic priest and controversialist.
Life
He studied at Reims (1590) and Rome (1593). As priest he was imprisoned at Wisbech Castle, and was active against the ...
,
Matthew Kellison, and Richard Ireland.
joined them shortly, after release from prison in England.
Henry Holden was there in 1623 after his ordination; a few years later
George Leyburn resided there before going on the English mission.
The original foundation lasted until 1635.
At a later point, in 1667,
Miles Pinkney began to revive the project, and a second house of higher studies, St. Gregory's, lasted in Paris until 1785,
having had the support of
John Betham, the first superior, with
Bonaventure Giffard
Bonaventure Giffard (1642–1734) was an English Catholic prelate who served as the Vicar Apostolic of the Midland District of England from 1687 to 1703 and Vicar Apostolic of the London District from 1703 to 1734.
Life
He was the second son ...
and
Edward Paston
Sir Edward Paston (1550–1630), second son of Sir Thomas Paston, was a Catholic gentleman of Norfolk, a poet, and amateur musician living in the reign of Elizabeth I. He is an important figure in the musical history of England, his love of musi ...
.
[ODNB article on Betham.]
Notes
{{coord missing, France
Colleges of the University of Paris
1611 establishments in France