William Bradbridge facts for kids
William Bradbridge (sometimes spelled Brodebridge) was an important English church leader who lived from 1501 to 1578. He became the bishop of Exeter, a high-ranking position in the Church of England.
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Early Life and Education
William Bradbridge was born in London. He went to Magdalen College, Oxford, a famous university. He earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), in 1528. A year later, he became a fellow of his college, which meant he was a senior member of the academic staff. He continued his studies, earning a Master of Arts (M.A.) in 1532 and a Bachelor of Divinity (B.D.) in 1539.
A Time of Change in the Church
William Bradbridge was a Protestant, a follower of the Christian faith that had broken away from the Roman Catholic Church. This was a time of big changes in England, especially during the reign of Queen Mary I, who was Catholic. Even though he was Protestant, Bradbridge managed to keep his church positions during her rule.
In 1555, he became a prebendary of Lyme and Halstock, which meant he received income from a specific church property. He also served as a canon at Chichester Cathedral. Canons are priests who are part of the governing body of a cathedral.
In 1563, he was part of a big meeting of church leaders called a convocation. They discussed important changes to the church, including new rules called the "six articles." Bradbridge supported these reforms, but they were not passed by a very close vote. He also agreed to the church rules set in 1571.
Important Roles in the Church
William Bradbridge held several important jobs in the church:
- In 1562, he became the chancellor of Chichester. This role allowed him to manage some of the cathedral's legal and administrative tasks. He was even allowed to keep this job after he became a bishop.
- In 1563, Queen Elizabeth I chose him to be the dean of Salisbury. The dean is the head of the chapter of canons at a cathedral. He worked alongside other important figures like John Foxe.
- From 1568 to 1576, he was a prebendary at Heytesbury in Wiltshire.
Becoming Bishop of Exeter
On March 1, 1571, William Bradbridge was chosen to be the bishop of Exeter. This was a very important position. After he declared his loyalty to the Queen and promised to serve her, he officially took control of the church properties and income related to the bishopric on March 14. He was formally confirmed in his new role the next day. On March 18, he was consecrated (officially made a bishop) in a special ceremony.
Work as Bishop and Later Life
As a bishop, William Bradbridge was known more for his knowledge and studies than for his management skills. In 1572, he helped translate the first five books of the Bible, known as the Pentateuch, for a new version called the Bishop's Bible.
He faced challenges with people who disagreed with the Church of England, including some Catholics and other groups. He even sent three men from Cornwall to London because they refused to attend church services. He also had some disagreements with his own church officials.
Bradbridge mostly lived in Newton Ferrers, Devon. He passed away suddenly there on June 27, 1578, when he was 77 years old. After his death, it was found that he owed the Queen a large sum of money (about £1,400) from church taxes he had collected for her. Because of this debt, the Queen took all his belongings.
William Bradbridge was buried in Exeter Cathedral, near the altar.
