Chapter V - The Royal Licences of 1442

Summary

In the short space of two and a half years we find Byngham obtaining a new licence for the College of Godshouse, and its terms go to shew that the difficulties confronting him in 1438 and 1439, leading to his acceptance of a licence more restricted in scope than he desired, had been overcome. The foundation of King's College, putting an end to any possibility of the university proceeding further with’ the idea of founding a new college upon Byngham's site, may have led to the removal or qualification of Langton's active opposition to Byngham's plans, and this negative good may have been accompanied by the positive advantage of the frequent presence in Cambridge of Byngham's friend, and coadjutor in many trusts, John Fray, chief baron of the Exchequer, an influential public servant and a man of substantial means. We have seen that Fray, with others favourable to Byngham, had bought land adjoining Godshouse which went into Byngham's possession; and Fray and John Somerset, Chancellor of the Exchequer, were appointed with John Langton, Chancellor of the University, the king's commissioners for the acquisition of the land for his new college of the blessed Mary and St Nicholas (King's). Frequent co-operation of Byngham's powerful friend with Byngham's opponent in a common task may have put an end to the strained relations.