John Salisbury (bishop) facts for kids

Styles of John Salisbury
Reference style	The Right Reverend
Spoken style	My Lord
Religious style	Bishop

John Salisbury was an important Welsh church leader who lived in the 1500s. He was a member of a religious group called the Benedictines (O.S.B.). He lived through a time of big changes in the church in England, known as the English Reformation. He held many important jobs, including being a bishop.

John Salisbury's Life in the Church

Early Career and Big Changes

John Salisbury started his church career as the last leader, or Abbot, of Titchfield Abbey. An abbey was a special kind of monastery. In December 1537, many abbeys, including Titchfield, were closed down by the King. This event was called the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

Even after the abbeys closed, John Salisbury continued to serve the church. In 1536, he became a special kind of bishop called the Bishop of Thetford. This was allowed by a new law called the Suffragan Bishops Act 1534. A suffragan bishop helps the main bishop in a large area.

Important Roles and Changes

Three years later, in 1539, John Salisbury also became the Dean of Norwich. A dean is a senior priest who leads the clergy at a cathedral. He also held other important church roles, like being the Chancellor of Lincoln Cathedral and the Archdeacon of Anglesey. An archdeacon is another senior church official.

During the reign of Queen Mary I, things changed again for John Salisbury. In 1554, he lost his position as Dean of Norwich. But when Queen Elizabeth I became queen in 1559, he was given his deanery back.

Becoming a Bishop

In 1570, John Salisbury was chosen to be the Bishop of Sodor and Man. This was confirmed in April of that year. Even though he became a bishop, he was allowed to keep his job as Dean of Norwich at the same time. This was a special arrangement called "in commendam."

John Salisbury passed away in September 1573. He was buried in Norwich Cathedral, a very old and important church building.