the college was founded in 1532 (old style) in the will of richard collyer, who was born in horsham, and became a wealthy member of the mercers’ company of the city of london. the mercers’ company are still the school's trustees, and maintain a close relationship with the school. collyer willed that one of his houses in the city, variously called ‘the sonne’ or ‘the sunne’, be sold and the proceeds used to build a school-house in horsham for “”.