SLHS: John de Stratford

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Father

John’s father, Robert de Stratford, was from the wealthy Stratford Aristocrats related to Ralph Hatton of Hatton, or perhaps Stratford, (who became Bishop Of London), Andrew de Stratford, Thomas de Stratford and Henry de Stratford. He married Isabel, became Burgess of the town and later went into the service of the powerful Bishop Of Worcester. There is debate as to whether he was the cofounder of the Hospital Of St Cross and even which manor was converted to be this hospital (see document below). The only manor I currently know of is that which preceded Clopton House (theory supported by Note 1 in the file download at the bottom of Ecclesiastical College). It seems that that these were glorified priests’ poor houses and the name is still retained by the hospital in Rugby.

Education

John was sent to Oxford University and became a Doctor Of Civil Law which was to stand him in good stead in his dealings with royalty later in his life.

Family Contributions To Stratford

Upon his return he became Rector of Holy Trinity Church.

Some fifty years later in 1353 his nephew, Ralph de Stratford, founded the Holy Trinity Ecclesiastical College (hence College Mews) which for two centuries steadily grew on the land opposite the church -hence the street names around that part of Old Town. Sadly this was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1547.

Ralph, eventually Bishop Of London, is famously buried in St Paul’s, London.

Further Information..

  1. Details of the early Guild and the manor converted to a hospital: British History Online

  2. Summary of the life of John de Stratford by the Holy Trinity Church (780k download): https://www.stratford-upon-avon.org/files/files/Becket%20Chapel/John%20de%20Stratford%20%26%20Becket%20Chapel.pdf

● Lord Treasurer Of England ● Archbishop Of Canterbury ● Deposed Edward II

● Most celebrated person in England until Shakespeare !

1270-1348

A modern stained glass representation of John.

As a man of great standing he could afford the payments for several changes of alms.

Ecclesiastical Career And Beyond

Seeing a significant promotion John moved to Lincoln Cathedral where he served as Archdeacon. His next leap was to York where he was first Canon then Dean.

“Edward III transformed the Kingdom of England into one of the most formidable military powers in Europe. His fifty-year reign was one of the longest in English history, and saw vital developments in legislation and government, in particular the evolution of the English Parliament, as well as [overcoming] the ravages of the Black Death. He outlived his eldest son, Edward the Black Prince, and the throne passed to his grandson Richard II.”

Final Years

Three years later, in 1333, John was made Archbishop Of Canterbury eventually seeing his younger brother, Robert, made Archdeacon Of Canterbury. These were not peaceful years as Edward’s power had made him cantankerous. Many arguments ensued and John was in and out of Chancellorship several times with his brother standing in for him if his life was threatened. John had made significant contributions to the independence of the church and the working of parliament. He was a renowned wise man and celebrated throughout England.

Upon his retirement he moved to Mayfield in Sussex. From some of the church’s income and family funds he paid for the rebuilding of the Stratford’s Holy Trinity Church’s South Aisle.

Before his death he had the Becket Chantry Chapel built and paid for 5 priests to pray in perpetuity for him, his extended family and a whole list of souls.

He was succeeded as Archbishop Of Canterbury by John de Ufford.


Five years later in 1353, in Stratford’s Old Town, his cousin, Ralph de Stratford, founded the Ecclesiastical College.

He seems to be rather a clever mover because during his visit to to see the Pope (then head of all churches of course) at Avignon in 1323 he was made Bishop of Winchester which very much set him at odds with King Edward II. John was then prominent in all public business and became the effective head of the Henry Of Lancaster‘s Lancastrian Party. The legal moves were set and he had Edward II deposed, Henry imprisoning the outgoing king in Kenilworth Castle and Edward III was installed. John was the new king's most prominent adviser and by 1330 was made Lord Treasurer Of England.

Not bad in just seven years. Wikipedia puts Edward III’s achievements, no doubt under John’s wise guidance, this way..

John’s mausoleum in Canterbury Cathedral. His effigy is of alabaster.

● These items have aspects that uniquely contribute to national or world history.

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Last update: 31/10/2024

Created: 19/11/2023