Henry Hammond facts for kids
Henry Hammond (born August 18, 1605 – died April 25, 1660) was an English church leader. He was known for supporting the King's side, called the Royalists, during the English Civil War. He was a very smart scholar and writer who played an important role in the Church of England during a difficult time in English history.
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Henry Hammond's Early Life
Henry Hammond was born in Chertsey, Surrey, on August 18, 1605. He was the youngest son of John Hammond, who was a doctor for King James I. His brother, Thomas Hammond, later became a judge who was involved in the trial of King Charles I.
Henry went to school at Eton College and then to Magdalen College, Oxford when he was 13. He studied hard and became a scholar there in 1619. He earned several degrees, including a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in 1622 and a Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) in 1639. In 1625, he became a fellow of the college, which meant he was a senior member of the academic staff.
In 1629, Henry became a priest. In 1633, he gave a sermon (a religious speech) in front of the royal court. His speech impressed Robert Sidney, 2nd Earl of Leicester, who then gave Henry the job of leading the church in Penshurst, Kent. His mother lived with him and helped him with his church work. He also helped educate William Temple, who later became a famous diplomat.
Supporting the King: A Royalist Cleric
In 1640, Henry Hammond became part of a church meeting called the convocation. He was there when new church rules were made. Soon after, the Long Parliament (a powerful group in government) tried to remove him from his church job, but he refused to leave Penshurst.
He was chosen to be part of the Westminster Assembly, a group that aimed to reform the Church of England. However, instead of joining them, Henry chose to support King Charles I. In 1643, he helped the King's supporters in a small uprising in Tonbridge. Because of this, he had to escape in disguise to Oxford, which was the King's main base.
Henry left Penshurst at night and went to a friend's house. He later joined his old friend, John Oliver, and they traveled to Winchester, which was controlled by the Royalists. Eventually, they went to Oxford, where Henry continued his studies and writing. In 1644, he secretly published a popular book called Practical Catechism. King Charles I even gave a copy of this book to his son, Henry Stuart, Duke of Gloucester, as a special gift.
Henry Hammond served as a chaplain (a religious advisor) to the King's representatives during the Treaty of Uxbridge in 1645. Here, he debated with Richard Vines, who represented the Parliament. After this, King Charles I made Henry a canon (a type of priest) at Christ Church and also a royal chaplain.
When King Charles I was captured, he asked Parliament to let Henry Hammond and another chaplain attend him. Parliament refused at first. However, the army, which had gained more power, eventually allowed Henry and Gilbert Sheldon to join the King. Henry stayed with the King at various places, including Hampton Court.
At Hampton Court, Henry introduced the King to his nephew, Colonel Robert Hammond, who was soon to become the governor of the Isle of Wight. The King trusted Henry's nephew and tried to escape to the Isle of Wight, but he was held in Carisbrooke Castle. Henry and Sheldon joined him there again, but they were later removed from their duties.
Henry returned to Oxford, where he was put in charge of Christ Church college for a short time. However, he refused to follow the new rules set by Parliament and was arrested and imprisoned. He was later released and went to live at Westwood.
In 1651, Henry met King Charles II during a visit to the royal camp. Later, in 1655, a new rule was made that stopped ejected clergy (those who had lost their church jobs) from working as teachers or private chaplains. This made it very hard for them to earn a living. Henry Hammond worked hard to support these struggling clergy members. His health began to decline in the last six years of his life.
Death and Lasting Respect
Henry Hammond passed away on April 25, 1660, due to a kidney stone. This was the very same day that Parliament decided to bring the King back to England. If he had lived, he would have become the bishop of Worcester.
He was buried in the Pakington family tomb at Hampton Lovett Church. A monument with a Latin message, written by Humphrey Henchman, was placed there to honor him. Henry left his large collection of books to his friend Richard Allestree.
Henry Hammond was highly respected, even by those who disagreed with him. He was known as an excellent speaker. King Charles I himself said that Henry was the most natural orator (speaker) he had ever heard.
Henry Hammond's Writings
Henry Hammond wrote more than 50 different works, mostly sermons and religious essays. His collected writings were published in four large books between 1674 and 1684.
Some of his most important works include:
- His Practical Catechism, first published in 1644.
- His Paraphrase and Annotations on the New Testament (1653), which explained the New Testament in simpler terms.
- An unfinished work similar to the above, but about the Old Testament.
Henry Hammond was a very important early thinker in the Church of England. He was influenced by other great theologians like Richard Hooker and Lancelot Andrewes. He was also one of the first English scholars to compare different old copies of the New Testament to understand them better. He studied ancient Christian writings and argued that the role of bishops in the church was very old and important. Many later English church leaders followed his ideas.
He was a diligent scholar who read widely. He even translated a famous French book, Blaise Pascal's Provincial Letters, into English in 1657. This book was about religious debates at the time.
