John London (priest) facts for kids

John London, born around 1486, was an important person in England during the time of King Henry VIII. He was in charge of New College, Oxford, and played a big part in the Dissolution of the Monasteries, which was when King Henry VIII closed down many monasteries and took their wealth.

Early Life and Education

John London grew up in Hambleden, a village in Buckinghamshire. His father was a farmer. John went to school at Winchester College starting in 1497. Later, in 1503, he studied at New College, Oxford. By 1505, he became a fellow (a kind of teacher or researcher) at New College. He earned a special degree in Civil Law in 1519.

During this time, London also held several important jobs in the church. He became a church official in York in 1519 and was in charge of money for Lincoln Cathedral in 1522. He also worked closely with Archbishop Warham, who was a very powerful church leader. The connections he made while working for Warham helped him throughout his career.

In 1526, London returned to Oxford to become the Warden (the head) of New College. He stayed in this role until 1542. His time as Warden was a bit difficult, with some disagreements and problems with discipline among the college members.

Role in Changing Religious Views

John London was known for supporting the traditional ways of the church and the Pope. He was not in favor of the new religious ideas that were spreading at the time, especially those from Martin Luther (called Lutherans) and other reformers.

In the late 1520s, London started to take action against students and teachers at Oxford who held these new religious beliefs. Some people, including members of New College, faced difficulties because of their views. One person, named Quinby, was held at the college because of his beliefs.

After Thomas Cromwell, a powerful advisor to King Henry VIII, was executed in 1540, London became close to another important church leader named Stephen Gardiner. Through Gardiner, London helped to find people in Windsor who were thought to be against the traditional church. This led to serious consequences for those people who held different religious views.

Helping to Close Monasteries

In 1534, King Henry VIII decided to break away from the Pope in Rome. He passed the Act of Supremacy, which made him the supreme head of the church in England. To help with this big change, King Henry's advisor, Thomas Cromwell, started a project in 1535 to visit all the churches and monasteries in the country. The goal was to understand and manage church property better and to bring more money to the King.

John London was chosen to be one of the officials who visited these monasteries from 1535 to 1538. After these visits, the process of closing down the monasteries, known as the dissolution of the monasteries, began in 1536. London was responsible for closing monasteries in places like Oxford, Reading, Warwickshire, and Northamptonshire.

London worked closely with Thomas Cromwell during this time. Even though London himself held traditional religious views, he seemed to have no strong feelings for the old traditions of the monasteries. He made sure to tell Cromwell that he was loyal to the King's new plans.

During his visits, London was known for removing religious items that were considered against the new rules. He also caused some damage to parts of the monastery buildings. For example, he wrote to Cromwell about how he helped destroy parts of Reading Abbey, while keeping other parts that could be useful. He also helped remove the monks and nuns and took their property for the King. Some historians believe he was one of the more moderate officials in this process, especially regarding the monks and nuns who were displaced.

London continued to gain important positions in the church, mostly near Oxford. He became the first dean of the Diocese of Oxford when it was created in 1542. He was also a church official at Windsor from 1540 to 1543.

Downfall and Death

John London's career ended in 1543 when he got involved in a plan called the Prebendaries' Plot. This was an attempt to remove Thomas Cranmer, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury and a supporter of Protestant reforms. London worked with Bishop Gardiner to try and bring charges against Cranmer.

However, King Henry VIII decided to support Cranmer. London took much of the blame for the plot. Letters written by London, which were meant for Bishop Gardiner, were found and showed his part in the plan. He was found guilty of perjury (lying under oath). As punishment, he faced public humiliation in several towns. He then lost his important positions and was sent to the Fleet Prison in London, where he died shortly after.

See also

• List of Wardens of New College, Oxford
• Dean of Christ Church
• Dean and Canons of Windsor