Robert Boreman facts for kids
Robert Boreman (who died in 1675) was a Church of England clergyman. He was a strong supporter of the King during the English Civil War, siding with the Royalists (also known as Cavaliers).
About Robert Boreman
Robert Boreman came from a family originally from the Isle of Wight. His brother, Sir William Bourman, worked for King Charles II as a Clerk of the Green Cloth, which was an important role in the royal household.
Robert went to school at Westminster School. In 1627, he earned a scholarship to Trinity College, Cambridge, a famous university. He earned his first degree (B.A.) in 1631 and continued his studies, becoming a fellow (a kind of academic staff member) at his college in 1633 and 1634. He received his M.A. degree in 1635.
During the English Civil War, many people who supported the King, like Boreman, lost their jobs or positions. He was removed from his fellowship, but when the King returned to power in 1660, Boreman got his position back. King Charles II also granted him a special degree, making him a Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) in 1660.
After this, Boreman received several important church appointments. In 1660, he became the minister (rector) of the church in Blisworth, Northamptonshire. Later, in 1663, he became the rector of St. Giles's-in-the-Fields in London. In 1667, he was also made a prebendary of Westminster Abbey, which is a special position within the Abbey. He passed away in 1675 in Greenwich and was buried there. He never married.
His Character and Disagreements
Robert Boreman was known as a very religious and educated clergyman. However, he was also very passionate about his political beliefs, especially during the time of the Civil War. This led him to make a serious, but false, accusation against a well-known religious leader named Richard Baxter.
Boreman wrote a book where he secretly accused Baxter of being a "man of blood" and claimed that Baxter had "killed a man with his own hand" during the war. This was a very serious and untrue charge. Richard Baxter was very upset by this false claim and even started to write a response to Boreman's book, though he later decided not to finish it. Baxter eventually answered Boreman's accusations in another one of his own books.
His Writings
Robert Boreman wrote several books and pamphlets. Here are some of them:
- The Countrymans Catechisme, or the Churches Plea for Tithes (1652): This book talked about the duties of church ministers and how people should support them.
- The Triumph of Learning over Ignorance, and of Truth over Falsehood (1653): This work discussed the importance of universities and learning. It also answered questions about who is considered a heretic (someone with beliefs different from accepted church teachings) and whether it's okay to hold private religious meetings.
- The Triumph of Faith over Death (1654): This was a special speech and sermon given at the funeral of Dr. Combar, who was the Master of Trinity College in Cambridge.
- A Mirrovr of Mercy and Iudgement (1655): This book told the true story of Freeman Sonds, a young man who was executed for murdering his older brother.
- An Antidote against Swearing (1662): This book was against swearing and included a section about academic oaths (promises made at universities).
- Autokatakritos: or Hypocrisie unvail'd, and Jesuitisme unmaskt (1662): This was a letter written to Mr. R. Baxter, the same person Boreman had a disagreement with.
- The Patern of Christianity (1663): This was a sermon about what it means to be a true Christian.
- A Mirrour of Christianity, and a Miracle of Charity (1669): This book was a true story about the life of a very kind and religious woman named Lady Alice Dutchess Duddeley.
Boreman also helped publish a book by his friend Dr. Edward Hyde called 'The True Catholicks Tenure' in 1662. He also wrote some poems that showed his loyalty to the King before the English Civil War began.
