John Dolben facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Most Reverend John Dolben |
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|---|---|
| Archbishop of York | |
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| Archdiocese | York |
| Enthroned | 1683 |
| Reign ended | 1686 |
| Predecessor | Richard Sterne |
| Successor | Thomas Lamplugh |
| Other posts | Dean of Westminster, Bishop of Rochester |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | 1683 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1625 |
| Died | 1686 |
John Dolben (1625-1686) was an important English priest and leader in the Church of England. He served as both a bishop and an archbishop.
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John Dolben's Early Life and Education
John Dolben was born in 1625. His father, William Dolben, was a church leader who was supposed to become the Bishop of Gloucester. John's mother, Elizabeth Williams, was the niece of John Williams, who was also an Archbishop of York. His brother, Sir William Dolben, became a respected judge.
John Dolben went to Westminster School and then to Christ Church, Oxford. During the English Civil War, he fought for the Royalist side. He was part of the Battle of Marston Moor in 1644 and helped defend the city of York. He was wounded twice during these battles. By 1646, the Royalists knew they could not win. John Dolben then went back to his studies.
After his studies, he became a priest. During a time when the Anglican church services were not allowed, he secretly continued to hold them. He lived in Oxford at the home of his wife's father, Ralph Sheldon. Ralph's brother, Gilbert Sheldon, later became an important Archbishop.
John Dolben's Church Leadership Roles
When the king was restored to power in England, John Dolben's career in the church grew quickly. In 1660, he became a canon at Christ Church. In 1661, he became a prebendary at St Paul's in London. This was likely helped by his wife's uncle, Gilbert Sheldon, who was then the Bishop of London.
From 1662 to 1683, Dolben was the Dean of Westminster. He worked to keep the Abbey independent and not under the control of a specific diocese. People liked him very much because he was charming, spoke well, was generous, and honest.
In 1664, he was chosen to be the Clerk of the Closet, a role he held until 1668. In 1666, he became the Bishop of Rochester. For a short time, he lost favor when his friend, Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon, fell from power. However, Dolben quickly regained his good standing.
In 1675, he was appointed Lord High Almoner. This role involved distributing money to the poor on behalf of the king. In 1683, he became the Archbishop of York. As Archbishop, he worked to improve the rules and organization of the cathedrals in his area. He was also the first president of the Corporation of the Sons of the Clergy, an organization that helps clergy families, when it received its special permission from the king in 1678.
John Dolben's Later Years and Family
In 1686, John Dolben was returning to York from London. He caught smallpox from someone who had the illness and sadly died a few days later. In his final months, he was worried about King James II's efforts to bring back the Roman Catholic faith in England.
He was married to Catherine Sheldon, who was the niece of Gilbert Sheldon, the Archbishop of Canterbury. They had two sons. One son, Gilbert, became a judge. The other son, John, became a politician. They also had a daughter named Catherine who died when she was very young.
John Dolben's son, John, faced financial difficulties. This caused some sadness for the Archbishop in his last years. Some people who did not like the Archbishop used his son's troubles to say that Dolben was a bad parent.
Today, a rugby league award called the Archbishop Dolben cup is named after John Dolben. It is presented at the York International 9s festival.
John Dolben in Literature
The famous poet John Dryden wrote about John Dolben in his poem Absalom and Achitophel. Dryden described Dolben as a wise speaker with a powerful way of expressing himself:
"Him of the Western dome, whose weighty sense
Flows in fit words and heavenly eloquence."
