The college was founded in 1382 by Bishop William of Wykeham to provide education for 70 poor scholars, 16 choristers and 10 "commoners" (nowadays several hundred) from wealthy families, before going on to New College, Oxford, which Wykeham had already founded in 1379. Pupils today are still known as "Wykehamists". Note the extremely fine refectory, cloister, chantry and chapel dating from the 14 to the 16C.