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then the only efficient schools of medicine in Europe; and not a few of these physicians were foreigners.
Among the native English physicians of this period was Linacre, a name as well known in classical literature as in medicine; who, having quitted his residence at All Souls' College, Oxford, of which he was a fellow, proceeded to Italy for the purpose of studying medicine, and graduated there. He thence returned to England; and being subsequently appointed physician to king Henry VIII., he prevailed with him to found a College in London, which should regulate the practice of medicine throughout England: and this College was accordingly founded in the tenth year of that king's reign (A.D. 1518).
In the act of foundation of the College are these words: "Joanni Chambre, Thomæ Linacre, Ferdinando de Victoria, &c. Medicis, concessimus, quod ipsi omnesque homines ejusdem facultatis, de et in civitate prædicta (Londino), sint, in re et nomine, unum corpus et communitas perpetua, sive Collegium perpetuum." And it is important to observe that certain privileges were given to the members of this College; exemptions for instance from serving on juries, &c.; and that the words "omnesque homines ejusdem facultatis," were understood as applicable to all who had graduated in that faculty in any university; or who had been approved by the bishop of London.
In 1522 the privileges and authority of the College were enlarged; and it was ordained
