Gilbert Berkeley facts for kids

Gilbert Berkeley lived from 1501 to 1581. He was an important church leader in England. During the time of Queen Mary I, he had to leave England and live in another country. Later, he became the Bishop of Bath and Wells.

Gilbert Berkeley's Life

Early Years and Studies

Gilbert Berkeley studied at Oxford University around 1539. He earned a special degree there. Some old records say he was a church leader in a place called Attleborough in 1544. However, some historians are not sure about his early jobs in the church.

Time in Exile

During the rule of Queen Mary I, many Protestants faced difficulties. Gilbert Berkeley was one of them. He had to leave England and live in Frankfurt, a city in Germany. This period is known as his "Marian exile."

Becoming a Bishop

After Queen Mary I's reign ended, things changed. In 1560, Gilbert Berkeley was chosen to become the Bishop of Bath and Wells. He officially became bishop on March 24, 1560. He also received another special degree in 1563.

At Wells Cathedral, his main church, the dean was William Turner. William Turner was also an exile during Queen Mary's time. However, he had different ideas about church rules, especially about what priests should wear. Bishop Berkeley had to warn him about this. In 1565, Berkeley even complained about Turner to the Archbishop, Matthew Parker.

Later Years and Challenges

A historian named John Strype said good things about Bishop Berkeley. But he also wrote about a time in 1564 when Berkeley allowed a young man, only eighteen years old, to become a church leader. This young man was Thomas, the son of John Harington.

In 1574, the people of Wells wanted to renew their old town rules. But Bishop Berkeley did not agree with their request. In 1578, he successfully stopped a powerful lord from taking church money from a place called West Monkton.

Gilbert Berkeley passed away on November 2, 1581. Before he died, he had asked the government to choose new bishops for empty church positions. However, after his death, the area of Bath and Wells did not have a bishop for almost three years.