| John Williams | |
|---|---|
| Archbishop of York | |
engraving of John Williams by Jacobus Houbraken |
|
| Enthroned | 1641 |
| Reign ended | 1650 |
| Predecessor | Richard Neile |
| Successor | Accepted Frewen |
| Other posts | Bishop of Lincoln, Lord Chancellor |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 March 1582 |
| Died | 25 March 1650 (aged 68) |
| Denomination | Church of England |
John Williams (22 March 1582 – 25 March 1650) was a British clergyman and political advisor to King James I. He served as Bishop of Lincoln 1621–1641, Keeper of the Great Seal also known as Lord Keeper or Lord Chancellor 1621–1625, and Archbishop of York 1641–1650. He was the last archbishop to serve as lord chancellor.
John Williams, Bishop of Lincoln, and later Archbishop of York, was born in Aberconwy, Wales and attended Ruthin School before graduating from St John's College, Cambridge BA 1601, and MA 1605.[1] He entered the clergy and he first impressed the king by a sermon in 1610. He became the king's chaplain in 1617.
In 1620 he was made Dean of Westminster and was swiftly elevated by King James I to the Bishopric of Lincoln in 1621, as well as being made Keeper of the Great Seal (also known as Lord Chancellor). Throughout his political career Williams was identified as a strong supporter of King James. He alienated the Prince of Wales, the future Charles I by disapproving of his ill-fated expedition with the Duke of Buckingham to Madrid. When James I died and was succeeded by Charles I in 1625, Williams was quickly removed from the office of Lord Chancellor, and was prevented from attending Parliament. Though Williams managed to survive Buckingham, who was assassinated in 1628, he remained out of favour.
William's liberal attitudes toward the Puritans led to a legal battle with the Court of the Star Chamber, and he was suspended from his benefices in 1636, fined, and imprisoned in the Tower until 1640. At that point the Lords forced the King to release him, and Williams resumed his offices and tried to steer a course between the extreme wings of the Church. He was re-imprisoned by Parliament in 1641, but was released on bail in 1642 and went to be with the King in Yorkshire, as well as be enthroned as Archbishop of York, a position to which he had been appointed the previous year. His stay in Yorkshire was brief, however, and he spent the last years of his life in his native north Wales, initially supporting the royalist cause, but eventually coming to an accommodation with the local parliamentarian commander in 1646. He died of quinsy in 1650 whilst staying with his kinsfolk, the Wynns of Gwydir, and was buried at the parish church of Llandygai.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| In commission
Title last held by
The Lord Verulam |
Lord High Chancellor 1621–1625 |
Succeeded by Sir Thomas Coventry |
| Church of England titles | ||
| Preceded by George Montaigne |
Bishop of Lincoln 1621–1641 |
Succeeded by Thomas Winniffe |
| Preceded by Richard Neile |
Archbishop of York 1641–1650 |
Succeeded by Accepted Frewen |