Nicholas West facts for kids
Nicholas West (1461–1533) was an important English bishop and diplomat. A bishop is a high-ranking church leader. A diplomat is someone who represents their country in talks with other countries.
He was born in Putney, Surrey. Nicholas West went to school at Eton College and then studied at King's College, Cambridge. He also spent time studying at Oxford and Bologna in Italy.
After his studies, he became a priest. He was given a job as a church leader (called a rector) in Egglescliffe, Durham. Later, he became a chaplain, which is like a personal priest, to King Henry VII.
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Early Career and Church Roles
Nicholas West quickly moved up in his career. In 1509, King Henry VIII made him the dean of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. A dean is a senior leader in a church. During his time there, the beautiful fan-shaped ceilings of the chapel were finished.
In 1515, he was chosen to be the bishop of Ely. This was a very important position. Before becoming a bishop, he also held the title of Archdeacon of Derby.
A Skilled Diplomat
Nicholas West was very good at working with other countries. His career as a diplomat began in 1502. This was thanks to his friend, Richard Foxe, who was the Bishop of Durham.
Working for King Henry VII
King Henry VII sent West on many important missions.
- He visited Maximilian I, who was the German king, and George, Duke of Saxony.
- In 1506, he helped create a big trade agreement with Flanders.
- He also tried to arrange marriages for the royal family. He worked to set up a marriage between the king's daughter, Mary, and the future emperor Charles V. He also tried to arrange a marriage for King Henry VII himself with Charles's sister, Margaret.
Working for King Henry VIII
Nicholas West continued his diplomatic work for King Henry VIII.
- He traveled many times to Scotland and France.
- In 1514, he visited King Louis XII of France.
- In 1515, he met with the new French king, Francis I.
He was very important in making peace and trade deals.
- In 1515, he helped create a defense treaty between England and France.
- He was also key to other treaties between the two countries in 1518 and 1525.
- He was even involved in the famous meeting called the Field of the Cloth of Gold in 1520. This was a huge event where the kings of England and France met in a very grand way.
West was trusted by Cardinal Wolsey, who was a powerful advisor to King Henry VIII. He also helped finish the rules for Jesus College, Cambridge. This college had been started by one of the bishops before him, John Alcock.
Bishop of Ely
Nicholas West became the Bishop of Ely in 1515. He lived in great style for the next 19 years, with more than a hundred servants. He used his wealth to build a magnificent chapel inside Ely Cathedral.
This special chapel is called a Chantry Chapel. It was built with many small spaces for statues. Sadly, these statues were later destroyed or damaged during a time of big religious change called the Reformation. The chapel also has a beautiful fan-shaped ceiling and Nicholas West's tomb.
Chapel's Later Use
In 1771, West's chapel was used to hold the bones of seven important Saxon church leaders. These bones had been moved from an old Saxon Abbey into the Norman cathedral. They were placed in West's chapel when their original resting place was changed.
Some of these important people included Wulfstan, Osmund of Sweden, and Athelstan of Elmham. Bishop Sparke, who died in 1836, also has his tomb in Nicholas West's chapel.
Chapel in Putney
Bishop West also built a beautiful chapel in St. Mary's Church, Putney. This was special because Putney was the town where he was born.
