Edmund Tanner facts for kids

Edmund Tanner (born around 1526–died 1579) was an Irish Jesuit priest. He served as the Roman Catholic Bishop of Cork and Cloyne in Ireland from 1574 until his death in 1579.

Edmund Tanner's Life and Work

Early Years and Education

We don't know much about Edmund Tanner's early life. He left Ireland by 1559 and traveled through Spain to reach Italy. By 1565, he was a Catholic priest living in Rome. He then joined a religious group called the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits.

After studying for a year at the Roman College, he went to Dillingen University in 1567. There, he earned a special degree called a doctor of divinity. However, his health wasn't good, so he left the Jesuit order.

Becoming a Bishop

In 1574, Edmund Tanner was back in Rome. The position of Bishop for the areas of Cork and Cloyne in Ireland was empty. On November 5, 1574, he was chosen to become the new bishop. He was officially made a bishop in a special ceremony in Rome.

Return to Ireland and Challenges

In May 1575, Bishop Tanner traveled back to Ireland. He had special permissions to carry out his duties not only in his own diocese (the area he was in charge of) but also in other places like Cashel and Dublin.

Soon after arriving, he was captured while performing his duties in Clonmel. He was put in prison. A story says that a Protestant bishop visited him there and Bishop Tanner helped him return to the Catholic Church. A few days later, a powerful earl helped him get out of prison.

Secret Missions and Death

After his release, Bishop Tanner did not go back to his own diocese because it was too dangerous. Instead, he traveled secretly as a special church representative. He visited other areas he was assigned to. He performed important religious ceremonies and carried out his duties in secret.

After four years of this work, he died on June 4, 1579, in the Diocese of Ossory. Some historical accounts differ on where he died. One writer, Anthony Bruodin, said he died in Dublin Castle after being imprisoned. However, another historian, Fennessy, wrote that he died at Cullahill, staying with a host named Barnaby Fitzpatrick.