William Harrison (priest) facts for kids

William Harrison (born April 18, 1534 – died April 24, 1593) was an English church leader. He is famous for his book Description of England. This book was part of a bigger project called Holinshed's Chronicles, put together by Raphael Holinshed and a group of London publishers. Harrison's work used a lot of information from an earlier writer named John Leland.

William Harrison's Life

Growing Up and School

William Harrison was born in London. His parents were John and Anne Harrison. As a boy, he went to St Paul's School and Westminster School. He grew up in a Protestant family.

Later, Harrison went to Christ Church, Oxford university. In 1560, he earned his first degree. During the time of Queen Mary I of England, Christ Church became a place for Catholic supporters. Harrison changed his religion to Catholicism then. However, he said he became Protestant again before Queen Mary died in 1558. He was inspired by the words of three Protestant leaders: Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer. These men were burned at the stake in Oxford for their beliefs.

Adult Life and Career

In 1559, before he even finished his degree, Harrison became a church leader. He was made the rector of Radwinter in Essex. This job was given to him by Lord Cobham. Lord Cobham was also his boss as a household chaplain. This job paid him £40 a year. Even though he later wrote about all of England, at this time he had only traveled a small amount in the south of England.

Harrison married Marion Isebrand. She was the daughter of immigrants from Flanders. He continued his studies at Cambridge and earned another degree in 1571. In the same year, he became the vicar of Wimbish in Essex. Harrison also worked at two other churches in London. Near the end of his life, he became a canon at St. George's Chapel at Windsor. William Harrison was buried at Windsor after he died in 1593.

William Harrison's Writings

Description of England

Harrison is most famous for his book called Description of England. It was first published in 1577. This book was part of Holinshed's Chronicles, a larger history book. A new, updated version came out in 1587.

His book described many things about England. It covered the country's geography, economy, and how society worked. It also talked about religion and politics. This book is a very important source for historians. It helps them understand what life was like in Elizabethan England.

Harrison gathered his information from many places. He used books, letters, maps, and notes from other historians. He talked to people who studied old things, like his friends John Stow and William Camden. He also used his own observations and experiences. He wrote in a friendly, easy-to-read style. This made his work a classic. The book gives a clear picture of England when William Shakespeare was young. The Cambridge History of English and American Literature said it was a "vivid and picturesque sketch."

Other Works

William Harrison also wrote other books that were not published. One of these was called The Great English Chronologie. This book looked at the history of the Christian church. It started from the story of creation and went up to his own time.

In the Chronologie, Harrison showed he agreed with the Calvinist ideas. These were people who wanted to change the Church of England. But he also showed he did not trust the political plans of the Puritans in England. He remained loyal to the church leaders in England.