John Taylor (Master of the Rolls) facts for kids
John Taylor (born around 1480, died 1534) was an important person in England. He had a successful career as a priest and worked for the government. From 1527 to 1534, he held a high position called Master of the Rolls.
John Taylor was special from birth. He was the first of healthy triplets, meaning three babies born at the same time. All three brothers, John, Rowland, and Nathaniel, lived to be adults. This was very rare in the 1400s!
When John and his brothers were children, King Henry VII met them. The King promised to help educate the three boys if they grew up. This kind act later inspired Queen Victoria to create a special fund for triplets. This fund, called the Royal Bounty for Triplets, continued until the time of Queen Elizabeth II. Records show that in 1498, King Henry VII paid for "the King’s Scoler John Taillor at Oxenford" (Oxford).
Education and Community Support
John Taylor was a very educated man. In 1520, he earned degrees from the University of Cambridge. He became a doctor of decrees and sacred canons. Later, in 1552, he was also recognized at the Oxford University.
John Taylor cared about his hometown. He grew up in Barton-under-Needwood, a village in Staffordshire. He gave money to help build St. James Church there. Construction on the church started in 1517 and finished in 1533. Today, a school in Barton-under-Needwood is named after him. The John Taylor High School is a science school founded in 1957.
Career as a Royal Official
John Taylor began his career as a priest. In 1503, he became a Rector at Bishop's Hatfield. The next year, he became Rector of Sutton Coldfield.
He served as one of the Royal Chaplains at King Henry VII's funeral in 1509. After that, King Henry VIII appointed him as the King's Clerk and Chaplain. John Taylor was even one of the people who helped decide if King Henry VIII's marriage to Catherine of Aragon was valid. In 1511, he became the Clerk of the Parliaments, which meant he helped with the work of Parliament.
John Taylor continued to rise in his career. In 1515, he was appointed Archdeacon of Derby. An Archdeacon is a senior church official. He also worked as a Royal Ambassador to Burgundy and France. In 1516, he became Archdeacon of Buckingham.
In 1520, he was one of ten chaplains present at the famous Field of the Cloth of Gold. This was a grand meeting between King Henry VIII of England and King Francis I of France. In 1528, he became Archdeacon of Halifax.
From 1527 to 1534, John Taylor held the important position of Master of the Rolls. This job was the third highest judicial position in England. It was below only the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice.
Death and Burial
John Taylor passed away in 1534. According to a book written in 1598 by John Stow called Survey of London, he was buried in St. Anthony's Hospital, St Benet Fink. This hospital was located in the City of London.
