Stephen Gardiner

Stephen Gardiner (c. 1493 - November 12, 1555) was an English bishop and Lord Chancellor during the reign of Queen Mary I of England.

Legacy

Gardiner was probably not the morose and narrow-minded bigot he is commonly represented. He was called ambitious, turbulent, crafty, abject, vindictive, bloodthirsty and a good many other things besides, not quite in keeping with each other; in addition to which it was asserted by Gilbert Burnet that he was despised alike by Henry and by Mary, both of whom made use of him as a tool. Yet he submitted to five years in prison rather than change his principles; and neither Henry nor Mary considered him by any means despicable. He was no friend to the Reformation, but he was a conscientious opponent. In doctrine he adhered to the old faith from first to last, while as a question of church policy, the only matter for consideration with him was whether the new laws and ordinances were constitutionally justifiable.

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It is as a statesman and a lawyer, rather than as a theologian, that he was notable. His learning was great. He was the author of various tracts in defence of the Real Presence against Cranmer, some of which, being written in prison, were published abroad under a false name. Controversial writings also passed between him and Bucer, with whom he had several interviews in Germany, when he was there as Henry VIII's ambassador. He was a friend of learning in every form, and took great interest especially in promoting the study of Greek at Cambridge. He was, however, opposed to the new method of pronouncing the language introduced by Sir John Cheke, and wrote letters to him and Sir Thomas Smith upon the subject, in which, according to Roger Ascham, his opponents showed themselves the better critics, but he the superior genius. In his own household he loved to take in young university men of promise; and many whom he thus encouraged became distinguished in after life as bishops, ambassadors and secretaries of state. His house was spoken of by John Leland as the seat of eloquence and the special abode of the muses.

Related Topics:
John Cheke - Sir Thomas Smith - Roger Ascham - John Leland - Muses

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He is buried in Winchester Cathedral, where his effigy is still to be seen.

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A very fanciful portrayal of Bishop Gardiner can be seen in the movie Elizabeth(1998), where he is portrayed by Terence Rigby as a villainous bishop who took part in the Ridolfi plot and who vehemently opposed the Queen's Act of Uniformity. This is rather anachronistic considering that in reality,Gardiner had died before Elizabeth ascended the throne.

Related Topics:
Elizabeth(1998) - Terence Rigby - Ridolfi plot - Queen's - Act of Uniformity - Anachronistic

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