A native of Norfolk, England, Allen was elected fellow of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge in 1536. He became steward of Corpus in 1539, and not long after obtained leave of the society to go and study abroad.
Allen, a native of Norfolk, England, was elected as a fellow of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge in 1536.  He later served as steward of the college in 1539 and received permission to study abroad shortly after.