According to Thomas Fuller and Richard Brome, 16th Century cleric, Simon Aleyn, parish priest of Bray, Berkshire, is the likely subject of the famous ballad, "The Vicar of Bray (song)" and subsequent comic opera The Vicar of Bray (opera).
Aleyn retained his benefice (c. 1540 to 1588) during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary and Elizabeth, he is said to have been successively Catholic, Protestant, Catholic, and Protestant in order to fulfil his principle[1] -
"And this is law, I will maintain Unto my Dying Day, Sir. That whatsoever King may reign, I will be the Vicar of Bray, Sir!"