Samuel Crooke facts for kids
Samuel Crooke (1575 – 1649) was an important clergyman in the Church of England during the 1600s. He was known as a great preacher. During the English Civil War, he strongly supported the side of Parliament, which was fighting against the King.
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Early Life and Family
Samuel Crooke was born in 1575 in a place called Great Waldingfield in Suffolk, England. He was the second son of Thomas Crooke, who was also a clergyman. His father was a well-known member of a group called the "godly elite." This group held Calvinist beliefs, which meant they had strong Protestant views that sometimes made the Church authorities suspicious of them.
Samuel clearly followed his father's religious ideas. His family was quite famous! One brother, Sir Thomas Crooke, 1st Baronet, founded a town called Baltimore, County Cork in Ireland. Another brother, Helkiah Crooke, became a royal doctor and wrote one of the first books about how the human body works (anatomy). Samuel's brother-in-law, Stephen Egerton, was also a leading Puritan preacher.
Education and Church Work
Samuel went to school at Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood. After that, he studied at the University of Cambridge. He first went to Pembroke Hall and later became a fellow (a kind of teacher or researcher) at Emmanuel College, Cambridge.
He became a priest in 1601. Samuel was very good with languages. He could speak French, Italian, and Spanish, and he could read Hebrew and Arabic.
In 1602, he became the vicar (a type of priest) of Wrington in Somerset. People said he was a very good speaker and that he made religion more respected in the area. He married Judith Walsh, but they did not have any children.
Beliefs and Challenges
Not much is known about Samuel's middle years. He helped educate his brother Sir Thomas's children. Sir Thomas even left money to Samuel and his wife in his will.
Samuel faced some trouble because he refused to wear a surplice. This is a white robe worn by clergy. The powerful leaders of the Church, like Archbishop William Laud, insisted that priests wear it. However, Samuel, like many other Puritans, thought it was too much like the traditions of the Catholic Church, which they disagreed with.
Role in the Civil War
Samuel Crooke became more well-known during the English Civil War. This war was a big fight between King Charles I and Parliament. Samuel strongly supported Parliament's side.
In 1642, Parliament decided to create an assembly of clergymen to make changes to the Church. Samuel was chosen to represent Somerset, but he never actually joined the assembly.
In 1643, when King Charles I took control of Somerset, Samuel was seen as a very important person. The King's side wanted him to change his mind and support the King. Samuel was persuaded, likely under pressure, to sign a statement saying he was against any changes to the Church of England. The King's supporters were happy, but those who wanted reform were angry. However, Samuel probably didn't truly mean what he signed. As soon as it was safe, he went back to supporting the reform of the Church.
In 1648, a plan for a "Presbyterian Government" for Somerset was made. This was a way to organize the Church. Samuel was put in charge of the Wrington area.
Later Life
Samuel Crooke passed away in December 1649, when he was almost 75 years old. It is said that many people from all walks of life came to his funeral. He also wrote several short books and poems in Latin.
