John Watson (bishop)
| John Watson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1520 |
| Died | 1584 (aged 64) |
| Occupation | Bishop of Winchester |
John Watson (1520–1584) was Bishop of Winchester in the 1580s.
He was born in Evesham, Worcestershire England, the son of Thomas Watson and Agnes née Weeks. Thomas Watson was born in Evesham around 1491 and in 1544 purchased part of the former Evesham Abbey lands and the lordship of Bengeworth, across the River Avon from Evesham town. On those lands he built a fine Tudor house as the family home. It was named the Mansion House, and though much modified, retained that name until about 1970, when it was renamed the Evesham Hotel, which name it still bears in 2010.
He qualified with a Bachelor of Arts from Oxford University in June 1539. In 1540 he was elected Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford. On 25 June 1544 he qualified with the Master of Arts. He graduated as Doctor of Medicine at Oxford 27 July 1573. Between 1572 and 1580 he was Master of the Hospital of St. Cross and Dean of Winchester.
He became a prebendary of Winchester Cathedral on 14 December 1551 and 26 August 1559. On 7 February 1557/58 he was Collated to the Chancellorship of St Pauls Cathedral, London. In 1559 he was appointed Archdeacon of Surrey. In 1580 he lived in Wolvesey Castle Winchester.
He was admitted as Dean of Winton on 14 February 1572/3 after Dr Frank Newton died. He served in this position until he became a bishop. He resigned from being a prebendary of Langford Manor in the church of Lincoln before 1574. Watson paid Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester 200 pounds to lobby for him not being made a bishop. The earl lobbied the Queen Elizabeth I saying "how otherwise it would be £200 out of his way". The Queen responded "Nay, then, Watson shall have it, he being more worthy thereof, who will give £200 to decline, than he who will give £2000 to attain it."
Queen Elizabeth I bestowed the position of bishop to Watson. He was consecrated as bishop on 15 September 1580.
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