John Gauden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids John Gauden |
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| Bishop of Worcester | |
Miniature of Gauden by John Hoskins, 1655
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| Diocese | Diocese of Worcester |
| In Office | 10 June – 20 September 1662 (d.) |
| Predecessor | George Morley |
| Successor | John Earle |
| Other posts |
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| Orders | |
| Consecration | 2 December 1660 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mayland, Essex, England |
| Died | 20 September 1662 |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Alma mater | St John's College, Cambridge |
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John Gauden was an important English church leader and writer. He lived a long time ago, in the 1600s. He became a bishop, first in Exeter and then in Worcester. He is also famous for possibly writing a very important book called Eikon Basilike. This book was about King Charles I.
Contents
John Gauden's Early Life
John Gauden was born in Mayland, Essex, England. His father, also named John, was a vicar there. A vicar is a type of church leader.
Young John went to school at Bury St Edmunds. Then he studied at St John's College, Cambridge University. He earned his first degrees there. Later, he continued his studies at Wadham College, Oxford University.
He married Elizabeth Russell, who was the daughter of a man named William Russell. William Russell was important because he managed the navy's money. John and Elizabeth had five children together.
Changing Sides in Politics
John Gauden started his career as a vicar in Chippenham. At first, he supported the Parliament. This was during a time of big political changes in England. He even spoke to the House of Commons in 1640.
However, his opinions began to change. He saw that the Parliament's Presbyterian party was becoming very revolutionary. In 1649, he wrote a protest against Parliament's actions.
During the time when England was a Commonwealth (without a king), he tried to keep his church jobs. But he also published writings to support the Church of England. He even met a man named William Juniper, who made prophecies. Juniper predicted the king would be overthrown and then the monarchy would return.
Becoming a Bishop
When the king returned to power, this was called the Restoration. John Gauden was made Bishop of Exeter in 1660. He was officially chosen on November 3, 1660, and became a bishop on December 2, 1660.
He quickly started asking for a better job. He said he had done a secret service for the king. This secret service was writing the book Eikon Basilike. He claimed he wrote it right after King Charles I was executed.
In 1662, he became the Bishop of Worcester. He had hoped to become the Bishop of Winchester, which was a more important position. He died on September 20, 1662. Some people said he died because he was upset about not getting the Winchester job.
Who Wrote Eikon Basilike?
Eikon Basilike is a very famous book. It was published right after King Charles I was executed. The book was supposed to be the king's own thoughts and sufferings.
The big question is: Who really wrote it? Many people believed King Charles I wrote it himself. But John Gauden claimed he was the true author.
Gauden's Claim to Authorship
John Gauden said he wrote the book to make people feel sorry for the king. He wanted to show the king as a good and forgiving person. This would hopefully turn public opinion against his execution.
Gauden's wife also supported his claim after he died. She sent a story to her son explaining how Gauden wrote the book. Even Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon, a powerful politician, seemed to know about Gauden's secret.
Gauden stated he started writing the book in 1647. He said he was completely responsible for it.
Arguments for King Charles I's Authorship
However, many people believed the king wrote it. Some said the book existed even before the Battle of Naseby in 1645. Witnesses claimed they saw King Charles I working on the book while he was imprisoned.
It was also said that the king's secretary, Oudart, wrote down the manuscript. This would mean the king dictated it or wrote it himself.
Ongoing Debate
The debate about who wrote Eikon Basilike has continued for centuries. John Milton, a famous writer, doubted the king's authorship in his book Eikonoklastes.
Later, a historian named Christopher Wordsworth strongly argued that King Charles I was the author. He wrote many detailed papers about it.
Some modern historians, like S. R. Gardiner, believe that John Gauden was indeed the author. But other writers still disagree.
One idea is that Gauden might have used some of the king's own writings or ideas. The king might have even corrected the book. This way, both Gauden and the king could be considered "joint-authors." This theory tries to explain why there is so much conflicting evidence.
Images for kids
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Miniature of Gauden by John Hoskins, 1655
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Monument to John Gauden, Worcester Cathedral
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The famous frontispiece of the Eikon Basilike.
