Christopher Hampton (bishop) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Most Reverend Christopher Hampton D.D. |
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| Archbishop of Armagh Primate of All Ireland |
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| Church | Church of Ireland |
| Archdiocese | Armagh |
| Appointed | 16 April 1613 |
| In Office | 1613-1625 |
| Predecessor | Henry Ussher |
| Successor | James Ussher |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1580 |
| Consecration | 8 May 1613 by Thomas Jones |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1552 Calais, France |
| Died | 3 January 1625 (age 72) Drogheda, Kingdom of Ireland |
| Buried | St Peter's Church, Drogheda |
| Nationality | English |
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Cambridge |
Christopher Hampton (1552–1625) was an important English church leader. He served as the Archbishop of Armagh for the Church of Ireland from 1613 until 1625. This made him the most senior church leader in Ireland at the time.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Christopher Hampton was born in 1552 in Calais, a town in France. His father, John Hampton, was a merchant. Christopher went to Trinity College, Cambridge, one of England's famous universities. He studied hard and earned several degrees there. In 1574, he became a Fellow of Trinity, which meant he was a senior member of the college.
Becoming a Church Leader
Christopher Hampton became a priest in 1580. He worked in different churches in England. From 1585 to 1589, he was a vicar in Chesterton, Cambridge. After that, he was a rector on the Isle of Wight until 1612.
He also became a chaplain to important people, including the Earl of Southampton. He even had the chance to preach in front of King James I. In his sermons, he supported the King's authority over the church. He also defended the idea of bishops leading the church.
Archbishop of Armagh
In 1613, King James I chose Christopher Hampton to become the Archbishop of Armagh. This was a very important role in the Church of Ireland. He was officially made Archbishop in St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin.
His main job was to help the King's ideas about the church become stronger in Ireland. He also worked to make the Church of Ireland more organized. Soon after becoming Archbishop, he preached to important leaders in the Irish Parliament.
Challenges and Achievements
As Archbishop, Christopher Hampton faced some challenges. Other church leaders, like the Archbishops of Dublin, sometimes argued about who had the most power. This was an old argument that had gone on for many years.
He also worked to make sure everyone followed the same church rules. He was strict with both Roman Catholics and Scottish Presbyterian settlers in Ulster.
Christopher Hampton used his own money and church funds to improve church buildings. He built a new palace in Drogheda, which was where the Archbishops often lived. He also repaired St. Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh, which had been damaged. He even fixed the old Archbishop's home in Armagh and added new parts to it.
He passed away in Drogheda on January 3, 1625, when he was 72 years old. He was buried in St. Peter's Church in Drogheda.
