Nicholas Metcalfe (died 1539) was an English churchman and college head.
He built up the endowments: Metcalfe was in close touch with John Fisher, his bishop in the Diocese of Rochester and as executor to Lady Margaret Beaufort a major force behind the foundation of St. John's.
Through Fisher St John's in 1524 took over property from run-down nunneries, at Bromhall in Berkshire and Lillechurch (Higham) in Kent.
[4][5][6] A steady Catholic and opponent of Hugh Latimer, Metcalfe was later praised across the religious divide by Roger Ascham for his concern for learning and its encouragement.
He opposed the divorce of Henry VIII from Catherine of Aragon.