George Morley

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George Morley (1597-1684) was an English bishop.

He was born in London, and educated at Westminster school and the University of Oxford. In 1640 he was presented to the sinecure living of Hartfield, Sussex, and in the following year he was made canon of Christ Church and exchanged to the rectory of Mildenhall, Wiltshire. He preached before the House of Commons in 1642, but his sermon gave offence, and when in 1647 he took a prominent part in resisting the parliamentary visitation of Oxford University he was deprived of his canonry and living.

Leaving England, he joined the court of Charles II, and became one of the leading clergy at The Hague. Shortly before the Restoration he came to England on a highly successful mission to gain for Charles the support of the Presbyterians. In 1660 he regained his canonry, and soon became dean of Christ Church. In the same year he was consecrated Bishop of Worcester. At the Savoy Conference of 1661 he was chief representative of the bishops. He was translated to the see of Winchester in 1662.

His works are few and chiefly polemical, e.g. The Bishop of Worcester's to a friend for Vindication of himself from the Calumnies of Mr. Richard Baxter.

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Religious titles
Preceded by
none during Comonwealth,
previously John Prideaux
Bishop of Worcester
16601662
Succeeded by
John Gauden
Preceded by
Brian Duppa
Bishop of Winchester
16621684
Succeeded by
Peter Mews