John Skypp facts for kids
John Skypp (born around 1495, died in 1552) was an important church leader. He served as the Bishop of Hereford from 1539 to 1552. He was also a special chaplain, called an almoner, for Queen Anne Boleyn. An almoner was responsible for giving money and help to people in need.
John Skypp was born in Irstead, Norfolk. His parents, Edmund and Alice Skyppe, were not wealthy. He studied at Gonville Hall, Cambridge, graduating in 1518. Later, he became the Master of Gonville Hall. Skypp chose a career in the church. He became the Vicar of Newington, Shepway in Essex. He then moved to London and joined the royal court. There, he met Queen Anne Boleyn and other people who wanted to reform the church. Skypp was very knowledgeable about the Bible. He used his deep understanding to support his Protestant ideas.
Skypp's Work with Queen Anne Boleyn
John Skypp was Queen Anne Boleyn's almoner when she was very powerful. During the time when King Henry VIII closed down many monasteries, Skypp convinced Queen Anne that the money from these monasteries should be used for charity and to educate poor people. Queen Anne then suggested this idea to King Henry VIII.
Skypp also held other important church positions. He was the Vicar of Thaxted in Essex from 1534 to 1539. Before becoming a bishop, he served as the Archdeacon of Suffolk.
Skypp's Sermon and Beliefs
On April 2, 1536, John Skypp gave a sermon. A sermon is a speech given in church, usually about religious topics. His sermon was about defending the church from those who wanted to change it too much. He warned against "evil counsellors," which many people understood to mean Thomas Cromwell. Cromwell was a powerful advisor to King Henry VIII.
Skypp believed in keeping the old traditions of the church. He also thought that universities were very important. He used his sermons to suggest that the King's actions might be driven by greed. He compared King Henry VIII to King Solomon from the Old Testament. Solomon was very rich but also had many wives. Skypp suggested that King Henry VIII, like Solomon, might be risking his kingdom for "fool's gold," meaning something that seems valuable but is not.
Historian Alison Weir believes that Skypp might have seen images of Solomon in the stained glass windows at King's College, Cambridge. Cromwell later accused Skypp of speaking against the King and his advisors.
John Skypp was buried in the churchyard of St Mary Mounthaw. This church was in the City of London and was later destroyed in the Great Fire of London.
