William Leigh facts for kids

A copy of William Leigh's final words in 1639, where he shared his beliefs.

William Leigh (1550–1639) was an important English preacher and a graduate of Oxford University. He was the leader (called a rector) of St Wilfrid's Church in Standish, Lancashire, from 1586 until he passed away. Many believe he baptized Myles Standish, a famous Pilgrim who sailed on the Mayflower. Today, William Leigh is best known for his series of sermons called Queene Elizabeth paraleld from 1612. This book contains the first published record of Queen Elizabeth I's famous speech to her troops at Tilbury in 1588.

William Leigh's Life and Work

William Leigh was born in Lancashire, England. He started studying at Brasenose College, Oxford, in 1571. He did very well there, becoming a fellow (a senior member of the college) in 1573. He earned his first degree (B.A.) in 1574, his master's degree (M.A.) in 1578, and another degree (B.D.) in 1586.

He became a priest and was known as a great speaker, giving sermons at Oxford and other places. In 1584, he even asked for permission to preach at St. Paul's Cross, a famous outdoor pulpit in London. In 1586, he was given the important job of rector at Standish Church near Wigan, Lancashire. He kept this job for the rest of his life.

William Leigh was also a justice of the peace, which meant he helped keep law and order in his area. He was very active in public life. He also worked as a chaplain (a religious advisor) for Henry Stanley, 4th Earl of Derby, and often preached for him.

Soon after King James I became king, William Leigh preached for the royal court. The king was impressed and chose him to be a tutor (teacher) for his oldest son, Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales.

Two days before he died at age 89, William Leigh wrote that he believed the Church of England was the true Christian religion. He was sure he would go to heaven.

As a church leader, he continued to improve the Standish church building, which his predecessor had started. In 1616, he gave the church a new oak pulpit. William Leigh passed away on November 26, 1639, when he was 89 years old. He was buried inside Standish Church, where there is a special brass plaque with a Latin message to remember him. He was married to Mary Wrightington and had children.

William Leigh's Published Works

William Leigh wrote several books, mostly collections of his sermons. Here are some of his notable works:

• The Souls Solace against Sorrow (1602): A sermon given at a funeral.
• The Christians Watch (1605): Another sermon, preached at a funeral.
• Great Britaines Great Deliverance from the great danger of Popish Powder (1606): This book was dedicated to Prince Henry, the king's son.
• The First Step towards Heaven, or Anna the Prophetesse her holy Haunt, to the Temple of God (1609).
• The Dreadfull Day (1610): A sermon about the second coming of Christ.
• Queen Elizabeth paraleld in her Princely Vertues with David, Josua, and Hezekia (1612): This is his most famous work.
• The Drumme of Devotion, striking out an Allarum to Prayer (1613).
• Strange News of a Prodigious Monster borne in the Towneship of Adlington in the Parish of Standish (1613).

His book Queen Elizabeth paraleld is very important because it includes a version of Queen Elizabeth I's famous Tilbury speech. In this speech, she famously said she had "the heart and stomach of a king." Leigh's book also compared Queen Elizabeth to important figures from the Bible. He dedicated the book to Princess Elizabeth, King James's daughter.