Richard Crakanthorpe facts for kids

Richard Crakanthorpe (born 1567, died 1624) was an English Anglican priest. He was known for his smart thinking about logic and for his strong opinions in religious discussions.

His ideas about logic were still used even in the 1700s, and he's even mentioned in a famous old book called Tristram Shandy. When it came to logic, he liked to stick to older ways of thinking, following the ideas of Aristotle and his book Organon. He wasn't a fan of new trends in logic, like the one called Ramism. His own big book on logic, Logicae, was quite important and was even mentioned by the famous writer Samuel Johnson.

A historian named Anthony à Wood once said that Crakanthorpe was very knowledgeable about church laws and old religious writings. He knew them better than almost anyone else at the time. However, some people also said he was very harsh when arguing with those he disagreed with, especially with a Catholic leader named Marcantonio de Dominis.

Early Life and Education

Richard Crakanthorpe was born around 1567 near a place called Little Strickland in Westmorland, England. He was baptized in 1568 in the nearby village of Morland. When he was sixteen, he started studying at Queen's College, Oxford.

At first, he worked hard to pay for his studies, then became a "tabardar" (a student who received money for wearing a special gown). By 1598, he became a fellow of the college, which meant he was a senior member and teacher. Crakanthorpe was greatly influenced by John Rainolds, another important scholar. He became well-known among a group of religious reformers at Oxford for his strong arguments and speeches. He even gathered a group of students in his college who shared his views.

Travels and Church Work

In 1602, Richard Crakanthorpe was chosen to travel with Ralph Eure, 3rd Lord Eure as his chaplain (a priest who serves a person or family). He went on a special trip to visit the Emperor Rudolph II and the King of Denmark. Another priest, Thomas Morton, also joined them.

When King James I came to the throne in 1603, Crakanthorpe gave an important sermon (a religious speech) at Paul's Cross in London. He then became a chaplain to Thomas Ravis, who was the Bishop of London, and also a regular chaplain to the King himself.

In 1605, he was given the job of rector (the main priest) at the church in Black Notley, a village near Braintree in Essex. This job was given to him by Sir John Leverson, who knew Crakanthorpe because his three sons had studied at Queen's College.

Later, in 1617, Crakanthorpe became the rector of Paglesham, another church, taking over from John Barkham. Before this, he had earned his D.D. degree (Doctor of Divinity) and had also studied at Cambridge University.

He passed away at Black Notley and was buried in the church there on November 25, 1624. King James, who knew him well, joked that Crakanthorpe died because he never became a bishop.

Main Writings

Richard Crakanthorpe's "Inauguration Sermon" was published in 1608. In 1616, he wrote a book defending the Roman Emperor Emperor Justinian against the ideas of Cardinal Baronius.

Here are some of his other important books:

• Introductio in Metaphysicam (about the study of existence), published in Oxford in 1619.
• Defence of Constantine, with a Treatise of the Pope's Temporal Monarchy (defending Emperor Constantine and discussing the Pope's power), published in London in 1621.
• Logicae libri quinque de Predicabilibus, Praedicamentis (his main work on logic), published in London in 1622.
• Tractatus de Providentiâ Dei (about God's plan), published in Cambridge in 1622.

His most famous book, Defensio Ecclesiae Anglicanae (which means "Defense of the English Church"), was published after he died in 1625. His friend John Barkham, who also gave his funeral sermon, helped publish it. This book was a strong response to Marcantonio de Dominis, a Roman Catholic Archbishop who had come to England and joined the Church of England. De Dominis later changed his mind and went back to Rome, publishing a book saying he was wrong to leave. Crakanthorpe's book strongly argued against de Dominis's change of heart, going through his statements one by one. The first version of the book had some mistakes, but a corrected version was published in Oxford in 1847. Several other books he wrote, arguing against Catholic views, were also published after his death.

• A Sermon of Sanctification preached on the Act Sunday at Oxford (London, 1608)
• A Sermon at the Solemnizing of the Happie Inauguration of our most Gracious and Religious Soveraigne King James (London, 1609)
• Justinian the Emperor defended against Cardinal Baronius (London, 1616)
• Introductio in metaphysicam (Oxford, 1619)
• A Sermon of Predestination preached at Saint Maries in Oxford (London, 1620)
• The Defence of Constantine with a Treatise of the Popes Temporall Monarchie (London, 1621)
• Logicae libri quinque (London, 1622)
• De providentia Dei tractatus (Cambridge, 1623)
• Defensio Eccelesiae Anglicanae (London, 1625)