Arras College was a Catholic foundation in Paris, a house of higher studies associated with theUniversity of Paris, 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 ofChelsea College in London, designed for the production of polemical Protestant literature.[1]
The original Arras College had support from Thomas Sackville, third son ofThomas Sackville, 1st Earl of Dorset, andPhilippe de Caverel, abbot of St. Vedast's inArras, enlisted byAugustine Bradshaw (John White), providing its name.[2]
Among those setting up the college, near Porte St Victoire, wereRichard Smith, who had gained papal approval for it,Anthony Champney,Matthew Kellison, and Richard Ireland.[1]William Bishop joined them shortly, after release from prison in England.[3]Henry Holden was there in 1623 after his ordination;[4] a few years laterGeorge Leyburn resided there before going on the English mission.[5]
The original foundation lasted until 1635.[6] 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,[6][7] having had the support ofJohn Betham, the first superior, withBonaventure Giffard andEdward Paston.[8][9]