George Morley (bishop) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Reverend George Morley
George Morley, as Bishop of Winchester
Portrait by Peter Lely
Church	Church of England
Diocese	Winchester
See	Bishop of Winchester
In Office	May 1662 to October 1684
Predecessor	Brian Duppa
Successor	Peter Mews
Other posts	Dean of Christ Church (26 July 1660–1660) Bishop of Worcester (1660–1662) Dean of the Chapel Royal (1663 – February 1668)
Personal details
Born	(1598-02-27)27 February 1598 Cheapside, London
Died	29 October 1684(1684-10-29) (aged 86) Farnham, Surrey, England
Buried	Winchester Cathedral
Nationality	English
Denomination	Church of England
Residence	Farnham Castle (at death)
Parents	Francis Morley & Sarah née Denham
Alma mater	Christ Church, Oxford

George Morley was an important leader in the Church of England. He lived from 1598 to 1684. He served as a bishop in two different places. First, he was the Bishop of Worcester from 1660 to 1662. After that, he became the Bishop of Winchester from 1662 until his death in 1684.

Early Life and Education

George Morley was born in London, England, in February 1598. His parents were Francis Morley and Sarah Denham. He went to school at Westminster School and then studied at Christ Church, Oxford University.

He earned his first degree (BA) in 1618. He then completed his master's degree (MA) in 1621. During the 1620s and 1630s, he spent time with important thinkers. These included Lucius Cary, 2nd Viscount Falkland. He also worked as a personal chaplain for Robert Dormer, 1st Earl of Carnarvon.

In 1640, he became a priest in Hartfield, Sussex. The next year, he was made a canon at Christ Church, Oxford. He then moved to work as a rector in Mildenhall, Wiltshire.

A Time of Trouble: Civil War

In 1642, George Morley gave a sermon to the House of Commons. However, his speech caused some disagreement. Later, in 1647, he strongly opposed a visit by Parliament to Oxford University. Because of this, he lost his position as a canon and his church job.

He then left England and joined the court of King Charles II. He became a leading church figure in The Hague, a city in the Netherlands. Before the king returned to power in England, Morley went on a special trip. He successfully convinced many Presbyterians to support King Charles.

Becoming a Bishop

When the king was restored to power in 1660, Morley got his canon position back. Soon after, he became the Dean of Christ Church. In the same year, he was made the Bishop of Worcester. He was officially chosen on October 9 and became a bishop on October 28.

In 1661, he was the main representative for the bishops at the Savoy Conference. This was an important meeting about the Church of England. In 1662, he became the Bishop of Winchester. He also became the Dean of the Chapel Royal in 1663. He held this role until King Charles II removed him in 1668.

His Writings

George Morley did not write many books. His works were mostly arguments or defenses of his views. One example is his writing defending himself from criticisms by Richard Baxter.