Peter Mews facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Reverend Peter Mews
Bishop of Winchester
Portrait by Michael Dahl
Church	Church of England
Diocese	Winchester
Elected	1684
Reign ended	1706
Predecessor	George Morley
Successor	Jonathan Trelawny
Orders
Consecration	9 February 1673 by Gilbert Sheldon
Personal details
Born	(1619-03-25)25 March 1619 Caundle Purse, Dorset, England
Died	9 November 1706(1706-11-09) (aged 87) Farnham Castle, Surrey, England
Buried	Winchester Cathedral
Nationality	English
Denomination	Anglican
Residence	Farnham Castle (as Bishop of Winchester)
Parents	Elisha Mews & Elizabeth Winniffe
Spouse	Mary Baylie
Previous post	Archdeacon of Huntingdon (1649–1666) canon of Windsor (1662–1673) Archdeacon of Berkshire (1665–1673) President of St John's College, Oxford (5 August 1667–1673) Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University (1669–1673) Dean of Rochester (1670–1673) Bishop of Bath and Wells (19 December 1672 {elected}–November 1684)
Alma mater	St John's College, Oxford

Peter Mews (born March 25, 1619 – died November 9, 1706) was an important English church leader. He was a Royalist, meaning he supported the King during the English Civil War. Peter Mews was a captain in the Royalist army. He was captured during a battle but later helped the Royalist cause in Scotland. He eventually became a Bishop in the Church of England.

Early Life and Education

Peter Mews was born in Caundle Purse, a small village in Dorset, England. He went to school at Merchant Taylors' School in London. After that, he studied at St John's College, Oxford, where he was a scholar and a fellow.

Service During the Civil War

When the Civil War began in 1642, Peter Mews joined the King's army. He became a captain. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Naseby, a major battle of the war.

After his release, he went to Holland in 1648. He became friends with King Charles I's secretary, Sir Edward Nicholas. Peter Mews was good at disguising himself. This skill was very helpful to the Royalists during the time Oliver Cromwell ruled England. He traveled to Scotland twice in 1653 to help the Royalist cause.

In August 1653, his friend Sir Edward Nicholas tried to get Peter Mews a job. He wanted him to be a philosophy teacher at the Orange College of Breda. However, Hyde said that the job needed someone who had spent more time studying.

Church Career and Leadership

Before these events, Peter Mews had become a priest. After the Restoration of the monarchy, he earned a degree called DCL. He also got his fellowship back at Oxford University.

He then held several important church positions:

• Archdeacon of Huntingdon
• Vicar of St Mary's, Reading
• Chaplain to the King
• Canon of Windsor
• Canon of St David's
• Archdeacon of Berkshire (from 1665 to 1672)

Leading Oxford University

In 1667, Peter Mews was in Breda, a city in the Netherlands. He was helping to arrange a peace treaty between England and the Dutch Republic. While there, he was chosen to be the President of St John's College, Oxford. He took over from his father-in-law, Richard Baylie.

Later, he became the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University. This is a very important leadership role at the university. He also became the Dean of Rochester.

Becoming a Bishop

In 1672, Peter Mews was appointed Bishop of Bath and Wells. As a bishop, he was responsible for a large area. He kept an eye on families who did not follow the official Church of England. He paid special attention to Mary Speke and her family.

Peter Mews left his role as President of Oxford University in 1673. In 1684, he was elected Bishop of Winchester. He held this position until he died. People called him an "old, honest cavalier." He is buried in Winchester Cathedral.

Later Years and Influence

Peter Mews showed his loyalty to the King during the Battle of Sedgemoor. He even lent his own carriage horses to help pull cannons for the royal army. He was wounded during this battle while with the army.

However, he also supported the Seven Bishops. These bishops disagreed with some of King James II's actions. Peter Mews was sick and could not attend their meeting. As the visitor of Magdalen College, Oxford, he supported the students and teachers there. They were resisting King James II. He allowed their chosen leader, John Hough, to become president. In October 1688, he brought back the students and teachers who had been removed by the King.

In 1689, he swore loyalty to King William III and Queen Mary II. In 1691, he played a main part in making John Tillotson the Archbishop of Canterbury. This happened because Henry Compton, the Bishop of London, was not there.

Images for kids

• 

  Portrait by Michael Dahl

There are two known portraits of Peter Mews. One is at Athelhampton Hall, a manor house in Dorset. The other portrait is in the Bishop's Palace in Wells.

Sources