William Byngham

Who was William Byngham?

William Byngham was the founder of the first secondary school training college in Britain.

Byngham became vicar of St John Zachary in the City of London on 25 May 1424 where along with other prominent clergy such as Worthyngton St Andrew, Holborn, Lychefield and Cote he petitioned wealthy aldermen, and indeed the King himself, to restore the grammar schools. The foundation of Godshouse in Cambridge in 1437 should have been a triumphant conclusion to his long campaign, but it took a further decade before his foundation was finally given the royal seal of approval.