Nicholas Bond facts for kids

Nicholas Bond (born in 1540, died in 1608) was an important English church leader and a smart academic. He became the President of Magdalen College, Oxford, starting in 1590.

Early Life and Education

Nicholas Bond was born in Lincolnshire, England. He began his studies at St. John's College, Cambridge, in May 1559. He was a very good student and earned a special scholarship called the Lady Margaret scholar award in July of the same year.

He earned his Bachelor's degree (B.A.) in 1564. The next year, in 1565, he became a fellow (a senior member) at Magdalen College, Oxford. He continued his studies and earned his Master's degree (M.A.) in 1574, and then his Doctor's degree (D.D.) in 1580.

Church and Royal Service

In 1574, Nicholas Bond was given an important church job as the rector of Bourton-on-the-Water, a town in Gloucestershire. He left his fellowship at Magdalen College in 1575.

He continued to rise in the church. In 1582, he became a canon at Westminster Abbey, which is a very famous church in London.

In 1584, a powerful church leader named Archbishop John Whitgift suggested to Queen Elizabeth I that Nicholas Bond should become the master of the Temple Church. This was another important church role.

Bond also held other church positions. He became the rector of Britwell, Oxfordshire, in 1586, and of Alresford, Hampshire, in 1590. He was also a chaplain (a religious advisor) at the Savoy Hospital and served as a personal chaplain to Queen Elizabeth herself.

Leading Magdalen College

On April 6, 1590, Nicholas Bond became the President of Magdalen College. This was a bit complicated! The Queen had actually told the college members to choose Bond a few months earlier. However, the members voted for someone else, Ralph Smith.

Bond's supporters found a clever way to make sure he got the job. They delayed announcing the election results past the deadline. This meant that the Queen then had the right to choose the president herself, and she chose Nicholas Bond.

Bond also served as the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University twice: from July 1590 to July 1591, and again from July 1592 to July 1593. During his second time as Vice-Chancellor, he met Queen Elizabeth I when she visited Oxford in September 1592.

Later Life and Legacy

Nicholas Bond played a part in founding Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge. He was one of the people in charge of carrying out the wishes in the will of Frances Radclyffe, Countess of Sussex, who died in 1595. Her will helped create the new college on the site of an old monastery.

In 1605, Bond welcomed Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, to Magdalen College when the young prince came to stay there.

Nicholas Bond passed away on February 8, 1608. He was buried in the chapel of Magdalen College, where there is a special plaque (inscription) remembering him. He also wrote some Latin poems that were published in a collection after Queen Elizabeth died.

Sometimes, Nicholas Bond is mistakenly confused with another person named Nicholas Bownde.