David Bandinel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David Bandinel
Dean of Jersey
Church	Church of England
In Office	1620 to 1645
Other posts	Rector of St Brelade's Church (1601-1628) Rector of St Mary's Church (1620-1626) Rector of St Martin Le Vieux Church (1629-1645)
Personal details
Birth name	David Bandinelli
Born	1575 Geneva, Switzerland
Died	12 February 1644 (aged 68) Mont Orgueil, Saint Martin, Jersey
Buried	St. Martin Le Vieux Church, Saint Martin, Jersey
Nationality	Italian
Denomination	Protestantism
Parents	Girolamo Bandinelli and Katerina
Spouse	Elizabeth Stallenge (m. 1599)
Children	Seven

David Bandinel (1575 - 1645) was an important religious leader. He was the first Dean of Jersey after the Reformation. This was a time of big changes in the Christian church.

David Bandinel: A Dean in Troubled Times

Early Life and Career

David Bandinel was born in 1575 in Geneva, Switzerland. His family was from Italy. In January 1599, he married Elizabeth Stallenge. They moved to Saint Brelade, Jersey.

In 1601, he became the Rector of St Brelade's Church. A rector is like a main priest for a church area. In 1602, he became a British subject. This was done by Sir Walter Raleigh, who was the Governor of Jersey at the time.

Bandinel took on more church roles. In 1620, he became rector of St Mary's Church for six years. In the same year, King James I brought back the role of Dean of Jersey. Bandinel was chosen for this important job. He later became rector of St Martin Le Vieux in 1629.

Challenges and Changes in the Church

For a while, the role of Dean in Jersey had stopped. The church in Jersey followed the ideas of John Calvin. This meant decisions were made by a group called a consistory. King James I first agreed to this setup.

However, King James soon wanted Jersey to follow the English church more closely. He sent a new governor, Sir John Peyton. Peyton's job was to encourage Jersey to use the English church's ways. This caused a lot of anger among the islanders.

Eventually, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Archbishop Abbot, ordered Jersey to use the English prayer book. At first, people resisted. But over time, their opinions changed. In 1620, Bandinel and other clergy asked the King to bring back the Dean's office. They also asked to use the English church's rules.

King James then appointed Bandinel as Dean. He was asked to create new rules for the church in Jersey. These rules had to agree with the Church of England. After some changes, the rules were approved. Jersey was then placed under the Dean's authority. The Dean reported to the Bishop of Winchester.

The English Civil War and Jersey

Bandinel's life became very complicated during the English Civil War. This war was a big fight between the King and Parliament in England. Jersey also faced its own conflicts.

Sir Philip de Carteret was the Governor of Jersey. He was loyal to King Charles I. Bandinel and Carteret had a strong disagreement. Carteret was accused of trying to take some of the Dean's income. This made Bandinel very angry.

During the war, Bandinel supported the Parliamentary party. This was mainly because he was against Carteret, who was a strong supporter of the King. Bandinel stopped supplies from reaching the castles where Carteret and his family were staying.

Sir Philip de Carteret became very ill and died in 1643. Bandinel's strong opposition to Carteret continued even during his illness.

Imprisonment and Tragic End

After Sir Philip de Carteret died, his nephew, Sir George Carteret, became the new Governor. Sir George was very angry about how his uncle had been treated. He arrested Bandinel and his son, Jacques. They were accused of treason, which is a serious crime against the government.

Bandinel and his son were held in Elizabeth Castle. Later, they were moved to Mont Orgueil castle. After more than a year in prison, they planned to escape. On February 10, 1645, they made a rope from their bedsheets. They tried to lower themselves down the castle wall.

His son, Jacques, reached the end of the rope. But it was too short, and he fell, getting badly hurt. Dean Bandinel was heavier, and the rope broke under his weight. He fell from a great height onto the rocks below.

A guard found him unconscious the next morning. Dean Bandinel died the very next day from his injuries. His son escaped but was later caught again. He also died in prison.