Thomas Rotherham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Thomas Rotherham |
|
|---|---|
| Archbishop of York and Primate of England | |
Portrait of Thomas Rotherham from "Historic Notices of Rotherham", by John Guest,1879
|
|
| Appointed | 7 July 1480 |
| Enthroned | unknown |
| Reign ended | 29 May 1500 |
| Predecessor | Lawrence Booth |
| Successor | Thomas Savage |
| Other posts | Bishop of Rochester Bishop of Lincoln |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 August 1423 Rotherham, Yorkshire |
| Died | 29 May 1500 (aged 76) Cawood Castle |
| Buried | York Minster |
| Nationality | English |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Education | Eton College |
| Alma mater | King's College, Cambridge |
Thomas Rotherham (born August 24, 1423 – died May 29, 1500) was an important English church leader and government official. He served as a bishop in several areas, including as Archbishop of York. He was also the Lord Chancellor (a very high-ranking government job) twice. Thomas Rotherham is still highly respected in his hometown of Rotherham, South Yorkshire.
Contents
Life Story of Thomas Rotherham
Early Life and Family
Thomas Rotherham was born on August 24, 1423, in Rotherham, Yorkshire. He was thought to be the oldest son of Sir Thomas Rotherham and his wife, Dame Alice. Later on, some people also called him 'Scot', but he never used this name himself.
His Education Journey
When he was a young boy, Thomas Rotherham was taught by a grammar teacher. He said this teacher came into his life by "the Grace of God." After this, he went to the new Eton College to get ready for university.
He then studied at King's College, Cambridge. He earned a degree called a Bachelor of Divinity and became a Fellow (a senior member) of his college. He taught subjects like grammar, theology, and philosophy there.
Important Jobs and Roles
After becoming a priest, Thomas Rotherham started getting important jobs in the Church. In 1462, he became a prebendary (a type of church official) at Lincoln Cathedral, and then at Salisbury in 1465.
He moved up to even more powerful church positions:
- In 1468, he became Bishop of Rochester.
- In 1472, he became Bishop of Lincoln.
- In 1480, he became Archbishop of York, which was a very high position he held until his death in 1500.
King Edward IV also gave him important government jobs. In 1467, he was made Lord Privy Seal, which meant he was in charge of the King's private seal. He also worked as an ambassador (a representative for his country) to France in 1468 and to Burgundy in 1471. In 1475, he was given the very important job of Lord Chancellor, overseeing the government's legal system.
Involvement in Politics
When King Edward IV died in April 1483, Thomas Rotherham was part of the funeral service. After the king's death, he supported the queen, Elizabeth Woodville. She wanted to keep Richard, Duke of Gloucester from becoming the protector of her young son, the new King Edward V.
When Queen Elizabeth sought safety in a special church area, Rotherham gave her the Great Seal (an important symbol of royal power). Although he later got it back and gave it to the Archbishop of Canterbury, his actions made people question his loyalty. Because of this, he was removed from his job as Lord Chancellor.
Later, in June 1483, Rotherham was accused of being part of a plan against Richard. He was put in the Tower of London but was released about a month later.
Later Years and Retirement
In 1485, he was again appointed Lord Chancellor, but King Henry VII soon removed him from this role. After this, Thomas Rotherham mostly retired from public life.
Death and Burial
Thomas Rotherham died from the Bubonic plague (a serious illness) in Cawood near York on May 29, 1500. His body was later moved to a beautiful marble tomb in York Minster in 1506.
His Gifts and Foundations
Thomas Rotherham used his wealth to support education and the Church.
Support for Universities
He helped build part of Lincoln College, Oxford, and gave it more money. At University of Cambridge, where he was in charge four times and was the Master of Pembroke Hall, he helped build the University Library.
Founding the College of Jesus
In 1480, Rotherham provided money for a special chapel called the Chapel of Jesus within the Rotherham parish church. He also founded the College of Jesus in Rotherham. This college was a way to remember his first teacher.
The building for the College of Jesus started in March 1482 in his hometown. In January 1483, he received permission to create a "perpetual College" to honor Jesus Christ.
The rules for the college were set in February 1483. The College of Jesus was to have a Provost (leader) and three Fellows (teachers), all of whom were priests. They had to attend church services. The Fellows were to teach grammar and train six young singers (choristers) in music. They also taught promising boys who didn't want to become priests how to read, write, and do math, all for free. If these boys showed talent, they would also learn grammar and music.
The college was closed around 1550 by King Edward VI, and the crown took all its belongings. Very little of the original building remains today, but the street is still called College Street.
Legacy in Education
Even after the college closed, grammar teaching continued in Rotherham. The Rotherham Grammar School saw Thomas Rotherham as its founder and used 1483 as its starting year. The school also adopted his family crest as its symbol. The grammar school stopped taking new boys in 1965 and gradually closed over the next few years.
Thomas Rotherham is still remembered today through the name of Thomas Rotherham College. This college, founded after 1967, is the modern version of the Rotherham Grammar School for Boys.
