Anthony Belasyse facts for kids

Anthony Belasyse (died 1552) was an important English church leader and lawyer. He was also known by names like Bellasis and Bellows. From 1543, he served as the Archdeacon of Colchester.

Early Life and Education

Anthony Belasyse was born in County Durham, England. His father was Thomas Belasyse. Anthony studied at the University of Cambridge. In 1520, he earned a degree in civil law. He later became a Doctor of Laws (LL.D.). It is thought he got this higher degree from a university outside England. By 1528, he was allowed to work as a lawyer, called an advocate.

Church and Legal Career

Anthony Belasyse held many important positions in the church. In 1533, he became the rector of Whickham in County Durham. Bishop Cuthbert Tunstal appointed him to this role. Soon after, he was ordained as a priest. That same year, he also became the vicar of St. Oswald's Church in Durham.

Around 1539, he became the vicar of Brancepeth. He then left his position at Whickham. In 1540, he was part of a group that decided King Henry VIII's marriage to Anne of Cleves was not valid. Later that year, he gained positions at Auckland and Westminster churches.

In 1543, Bishop Edmund Bonner made him the Archdeacon of Colchester. This was a very important church role. He also led the hospital of St. Edmund in Gateshead. He had a position at Chester-le-Street church too. In 1544, he gained another church position in Lincoln Cathedral.

Royal Service and Later Life

In 1544, Anthony Belasyse became a Master in Chancery. This meant he was a senior lawyer who helped the Lord Chancellor. He was given special permission to hear legal cases. This happened when the Lord Chancellor, Thomas Wriothesley, was away.

Around 1545, Belasyse became the head of Sherburn Hospital. King Henry VIII also gave him land and properties. These lands had belonged to monasteries that were closed down. This was part of the "Dissolution of the Monasteries." He received land from Newburgh Priory and Byland Abbey.

He continued to gain church roles. In 1546, he was at Wells Cathedral. Three years later, he was at York Minster. In 1552, he helped a judge, Bishop Thomas Goodrich, with legal matters. He also received a position at Carlisle Cathedral shortly before he died.

Anthony Belasyse passed away in July 1552. He had gained a lot of wealth from the closed monasteries. He left his properties to his nephew, Sir William Belasyse.