It was intended for English priests, and had a function as a House of Writers, or apologetical college.
[1] The original Arras College had support from Thomas Sackville, third son of Thomas Sackville, 1st Earl of Dorset, and Philippe de Caverel, abbot of St. Vedast's in Arras, enlisted by Augustine Bradshaw (John White), providing its name.
[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 later George Leyburn resided there before going on the English mission.
[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 of John Betham, the first superior, with Bonaventure Giffard and Edward Paston.