Thomas Bailey (priest) facts for kids
Thomas Bailey (who also spelled his name Bayly) was an English priest and writer who lived in the 1600s. He was known for arguing about religious topics. He first served as a priest in the Church of England, supporting the King (making him a Royalist). Later, he changed his religion and became a Roman Catholic. He passed away around 1657.
A Look at His Life
Thomas Bailey's father was Lewis Bayly, who was a Bishop. Thomas went to Magdalene College, Cambridge for his education. He started his career as a priest in the same area where his father worked. In 1634, he became the Rector of Holgate, Shropshire. A few years later, in 1638, he became a sub-dean at Wells Cathedral.
During the English Civil War, Thomas Bailey was a soldier. He helped defend Raglan Castle in 1646. After King Charles I was executed in 1649, Thomas Bailey wrote against the new government, called the Commonwealth. Because of this, he was put in Newgate gaol for a short time.
In 1649, he also wrote a book called Certamen Religiosum. In this book, he defended King Charles I. Some people had said the King was secretly a Roman Catholic, but Bailey argued against this. His book talked about religious discussions that happened in 1646 between King Charles and Henry Somerset, 1st Marquess of Worcester at Raglan Castle. Thomas Bailey was there as the Marquess's chaplain (a kind of religious advisor). This book caused a lot of debate.
Later, Thomas Bailey traveled to Europe. While he was there, he decided to become a Roman Catholic himself. He wrote about his new beliefs in a book called An End to Controversy, which came out in 1654. In 1655, a book about John Fisher was published under Bailey's name. However, it was actually an older text that someone else had translated.
Books He Wrote
Here are some of the books Thomas Bailey wrote:
- The royal charter granted unto kings, by God himself, published in 1649.
- Certamen religiosum, published in 1649.
- An End to Controversy between the Roman Catholique and the Protestant Religions Justified, published in 1654.
