George Owen (physician) facts for kids
George Owen (born 1499, died 1558) was an important English doctor and politician. He came from Oxford and Godstow in Oxfordshire. He worked for the king and queen as their personal physician.
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George Owen: Royal Doctor and Politician
Early Life and Education
George Owen was born in the Worcester area of England. He went to Merton College, Oxford for his education. In 1520, he became a "Fellow" at the college. This meant he was a senior member of the college.
Doctor to Kings and Queens
George Owen was a special doctor called a "royal physician." This meant he was the personal doctor for the kings and queens of England. He worked for three different rulers from the Tudor dynasty. These were King Henry VIII, King Edward VI, and Queen Mary I. He worked with other royal doctors like Thomas Wendy and Edmund Harman.
A Member of Parliament
Besides being a doctor, George Owen was also a politician. In 1558, he became a Member of the Parliament of England. He represented the area of Oxfordshire. A Member of Parliament helps make laws for the country.
Land and Property
George Owen owned land and buildings in England. He owned Wolvercote Manor and Mill, which were north of Oxford. In 1552, he asked the King for help. He wanted to stop the Mayor of Oxford from blocking off Wolvercote Common. This was a shared field where villagers had always let their animals graze. After the King closed down monasteries, Owen also got the manor of Yarnton.
St Alban Hall
After King Henry VIII closed down many monasteries, a place called St Alban Hall in Oxford became the King's property. King Henry VIII then gave it to George Owen. Owen later passed it on to Sir John Williams and Sir John Gresham. In 1547, they sold the hall to John Pollard and Robert Perrot. Finally, Pollard and Perrot sold it to the Warden and Fellows of Merton College.
