Maurice Clenock facts for kids

Maurice Clenock (also known as Maurice Clenocke or Maurice Clennock; in Welsh: Morus Clynog) was a Welsh Roman Catholic priest. He was a "recusant," which means he refused to accept the new official religion in England at the time. He lived as an exile outside of England.

Maurice Clenock was the very first leader of the English College, Rome, a special school for English priests in Italy. He was born around 1525 in Llŷn or Eifionydd in what is now Gwynedd, Wales. He sadly died at sea in 1581.

Maurice Clenock's Early Life and Career

Maurice Clenock studied at the University of Oxford. In 1548, he earned a degree in Canon Law, which is the law of the Church.

During the time when Mary I of England was queen, Maurice Clenock held many important positions in the Church. He worked as a helper and secretary for Cardinal Pole, a very high-ranking church leader. He also had roles as a church official in places like York, Orpington, Shoreham, and Croydon. He even had a legal role in the Church's court.

A New Role and a Big Change

In 1556, Maurice Clenock became the head priest of Corwen in the Diocese of St. Asaph. When the Bishop of Bangor died in 1558, Maurice Clenock was chosen to become the new bishop. However, he was never officially made a bishop. This was because Queen Elizabeth I of England came to power and changed the official religion of England.

Because of this change, Maurice Clenock gave up all his church positions. He then traveled to Rome with Thomas Goldwell, who was the Bishop of St. Asaph.

Leading the English College in Rome

In Rome, Maurice Clenock and Bishop Goldwell lived in a place called the English Hospital. This hospital helped English visitors and pilgrims. Maurice Clenock became a manager there in 1567 and later its warden in 1578.

At the same time, Pope Gregory XIII decided to turn the hospital into a college. This new college was meant to train priests until England might return to the Catholic Church.

Challenges at the College

The Pope made Maurice Clenock the first leader, or rector, of this new college. However, a very important church leader named Cardinal Allen felt that Maurice Clenock was not the best person to lead the college. Even though Cardinal Allen said Maurice Clenock was "an honest and friendly man" who helped students, he wasn't a strong leader.

Maurice Clenock was accused of treating Welsh students better than English students. There were 33 English students and only 7 Welsh students. Cardinal Allen wrote that there were serious problems and arguments at the college. The students even tried to complain to the Pope.

Finally, in April 1579, the Pope appointed a new rector, Father Alfonso Agazzari. Maurice Clenock remained the warden of the hospital for a short time.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1580, Maurice Clenock left Rome and went to Rouen, a city in France. From there, he took a ship to Spain. Sadly, he was lost at sea and drowned in early 1581 during this voyage. In old documents, he was often called "Dr. Morrice."

Maurice Clenock's Writings

Maurice Clenock was a friend and colleague of another Welsh Catholic priest and scholar named Gruffydd Robert. They spent time together in exile in Milan, Italy. While there, Maurice Clenock published a book called Athrawaeth Gristnogawl. This book was a Welsh Catechism, which is a book of Christian teachings, written in the Welsh language.