Chapter XVI - The Negotiations between Godshouse and the Lady Margaret

Summary

It has been shewn in an earlier chapter that the indebtedness of the college to Fisher for guiding the Lady Margaret's bounty towards the advancement of the fortunes of Godshouse was handsomely recognised by the society while he was yet living. His part in the great work done by the foundress for the college has never ceased to hold high honour in the private thoughts of its members, as well as in formal and official celebrations such as annual commemorations and less frequent observances. It was maintained also that Fisher was not at any time a member of the college, and there is need therefore to indicate, if it may be found, the connection with Godshouse which led to his recommendation to his royal mistress that produced so great promotion of its interests.

It must not be overlooked that the foundation of Godshouse by Henry VI, uncle to the Lady Margaret, gave the appeal for its advancement a powerful claim in her eyes, but it is more possible to regard that fact as an argument used by Fisher to enforce his recommendation than to look upon it as constituting his prime motive. There were in all thirteen colleges in Cambridge in 1503, and of every one it might truthfully be said that it could have shewn good cause for the extension to it of any additional bounty that might be available, while several might have proved that their numbers and their revenues fell far short of the pious intentions of their founders, one at least being poorer than Godshouse.