Anne Neville, wife of King Richard III of England, seems to have assumed the role of patroness after her immediate predecessors Margaret of Anjou and Elizabeth Woodville.
A licence dated 25 March 1484 from King Richard III declared that the College existed by the "patronage of our aforesaid consort". When he granted lands to the College on 5 July 1484, the grant was said to be in consideration for his wife. Both Anne on her own behalf and Richard magnificently endowed the College with lands. (Alas, these lands were taken away again by King Henry VII).