George Dowdall

George Dowdall (1487 – 15 August 1558) was twice Archbishop of Armagh.

He was appointed Primate of All Ireland by Henry VIII in 1543 to succeed George Cromer. However, this was not recognised by the Pope, who had earlier replaced Cromer with Robert Wauchope. Dowdall accepted Henry's position as Supreme Head on Earth of the Church of Ireland, but like Henry took an anti-Protestant theological position. This became unsustainable in the reign of Edward VI, and in 1552, he withdrew to be replaced by Hugh Goodacre. By this stage Wauchope had died without replacement.

With Mary's accession in 1553, and the re-establishment of Roman Catholicism, Dowall was reappointed to Armagh, this time with the Pope's approval, and he held the position until his death, some three months before Mary.

See also

• Dowdall family name
• Henry VIII of England and the English Reformation

External links

•  "Dowdall, George". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.  Check date values in: |date= (help)
•  "George Dowdall". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. 1913.