Humphrey Tyndall facts for kids

Humphrey Tyndall (sometimes spelled Tindall) was an important English church leader who lived from 1549 to 1614. He held many significant roles during his life. These included being the President of Queens' College, Cambridge, an Archdeacon of Stafford, the Chancellor of Lichfield Cathedral, and the Dean of Ely.

Who Was Humphrey Tyndall?

Humphrey Tyndall came from the well-known Tyndall family in England. He was the fourth son of Sir Thomas Tyndall and his second wife, Amy Fermor. His family lived in Hockwold, Norfolk.

His Early Life and Education

Humphrey started attending Cambridge University in 1555. He was very young, only five or six years old, when he joined Gonville Hall. In 1563, he moved to Christ's College. There, he became a scholar, which means he was a student who received financial help for his studies.

Becoming a Church Leader

In 1572, Humphrey Tyndall was ordained by Edmund Scambler, who was the bishop of Peterborough. This meant he officially became a priest. His church career began at Cambridge. By 1576, he was allowed to preach at the university.

Roles in the Church

In 1577, he became the Vicar of Soham in Cambridgeshire. He kept this job for the rest of his life. He also worked as a chaplain for the Earl of Leicester. A chaplain is a priest who serves a specific person or institution. Tyndall even performed a private marriage for the Earl of Leicester in 1578.

In April 1586, he was given two new important roles. He became the Chancellor of Lichfield Cathedral and an archdeacon in Stafford. He held both of these positions until he died. From 1588 to 1599, he was also a Prebend of Southwell in Nottinghamshire.

In December 1591, Tyndall became the Dean of Ely. This was a very high position in the church. At the same time, he also became the Rector of Wentworth. He left the rectory job in 1610 but remained the Dean of Ely until his death in 1614.

His Time at Cambridge University

In 1567, Tyndall was chosen as a fellow of Pembroke Hall. A fellow is a senior member of a college. He became a junior bursar in 1570 and a senior bursar in 1572. A bursar is in charge of the college's money.

He earned his Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1577. Then, in 1582, he received his Doctor of Divinity degree. This is the highest degree given by universities like Oxford and Cambridge.

Leading Queens' College

In 1578, some people at Queens' College were worried about Tyndall. They thought he was too young to be the President of the college. However, with the help of Lord Burghley, a very powerful person, Tyndall was elected President of Queens' College in July 1579.

He also served as the Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University from 1585 to 1586. The Vice-Chancellor is like the main leader of the entire university.

His Family Life and Legacy

Humphrey Tyndall married Jane Russell in 1593. They had one child, but sadly, the child died young. Jane outlived Humphrey and married two more times after he passed away.

Tyndall died in Ely on October 12, 1614, when he was 65 years old. He left his books to his college. He was buried in Ely Cathedral on the south side of the choir. His tomb has a brass statue of him and a special poem written about his life. The poem says he was "Grave, wise, courageous, noble" and a "friend, a Dean, a Master, true, good, wise."