Richard Longworth (Cambridge)
Encyclopedia
Richard Longworth was an English churchman and academic, Master of St John's College, Cambridge
and Dean of Chester.
, and matriculated as a pensioner at St John's College in 1549. He graduated B.A. in 1553, M.A. in 1556, B.D. in 1563, and D.D. in 1567. He became a Fellow of Queens' College, Cambridge
for the period 1553 to 1557; and a Fellow of St John's from 1559. He was university preacher in 1561, and Vice-Chancellor from 1567 to 1568.
Having been elected Master of St John's in 1564, he was deprived of the position in 1569, by Richard Cox
, the bishop of Ely
, as College Visitor. Longworth’s religious views were Puritan
, and under his leadership St John's had become a major Puritan force in the university. The college's sympathies were manifested in the refusal of the Master and others to wear the surplice
in chapel, and Longworth was summoned to London to explain himself. Longworth was allied with William Fulke
, and Richard Curteys
laid a complaint against both of them in 1565; later they fell out, and Fulke headed the faction opposed to Longworth. The Visitor's intervention was prompted by the feuding in the college, and Fulke had to pull back, missing his own chance at the mastership.
As Dean of Chester, appointed 1573, he was an absentee. He was a non-resident rector of Cockfield, Suffolk
from 1567, and was succeeded by John Knewstub
, of similar views.
St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's alumni include nine Nobel Prize winners, six Prime Ministers, three archbishops, at least two princes, and three Saints....
and Dean of Chester.
Life
He was from LancashireLancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, and matriculated as a pensioner at St John's College in 1549. He graduated B.A. in 1553, M.A. in 1556, B.D. in 1563, and D.D. in 1567. He became a Fellow of Queens' College, Cambridge
Queens' College, Cambridge
Queens' College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1448 by Margaret of Anjou , and refounded in 1465 by Elizabeth Woodville...
for the period 1553 to 1557; and a Fellow of St John's from 1559. He was university preacher in 1561, and Vice-Chancellor from 1567 to 1568.
Having been elected Master of St John's in 1564, he was deprived of the position in 1569, by Richard Cox
Richard Cox (bishop)
Richard Cox was an English clergyman, who was Dean of Westminster and Bishop of Ely.-Biography:Cox was born of obscure parentage at Whaddon, Buckinghamshire, in 1499 or 1500....
, the bishop of Ely
Bishop of Ely
The Bishop of Ely is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Ely in the Province of Canterbury. The diocese roughly covers the county of Cambridgeshire , together with a section of north-west Norfolk and has its see in the City of Ely, Cambridgeshire, where the seat is located at the...
, as College Visitor. Longworth’s religious views were Puritan
Puritan
The Puritans were a significant grouping of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries. Puritanism in this sense was founded by some Marian exiles from the clergy shortly after the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1558, as an activist movement within the Church of England...
, and under his leadership St John's had become a major Puritan force in the university. The college's sympathies were manifested in the refusal of the Master and others to wear the surplice
Surplice
A surplice is a liturgical vestment of the Western Christian Church...
in chapel, and Longworth was summoned to London to explain himself. Longworth was allied with William Fulke
William Fulke
William Fulke was an English Puritan divine.-Life:He was born in London and educated at St John's College, Cambridge graduating in 1557/58....
, and Richard Curteys
Richard Curteys
-Life:He was born in Lincolnshire, and educated at St. John's College, Cambridge,where he was elected to a scholarship in 1550. He proceeded B.A. in 1553, was elected a Fellow in 1553, and commenced M.A. in 1556. During the reign of Mary I of England he remained unaffected. He was appointed senior...
laid a complaint against both of them in 1565; later they fell out, and Fulke headed the faction opposed to Longworth. The Visitor's intervention was prompted by the feuding in the college, and Fulke had to pull back, missing his own chance at the mastership.
As Dean of Chester, appointed 1573, he was an absentee. He was a non-resident rector of Cockfield, Suffolk
Cockfield, Suffolk
Cockfield is a village and civil parish located approximately 3½ miles from Lavenham in Suffolk, England. The village consists of a central point and several outlying hamlets: Buttons Green, Colchester Green, Cross Green, Great Green, Oldhall Green, Smithwood Green and Windsor Green...
from 1567, and was succeeded by John Knewstub
John Knewstub
John Knewstub was an English clergyman, one of the participants in the Hampton Court Conference of 1604 representing the Puritan side. Patrick Collinson calls him presbyterian by conviction, but moderate in his views.-Life:...
, of similar views.