Richard Neile

Richard Neile (* 1562, † October 31, 1640 ) was bishop of several dioceses of the Church of England and Archbishop of York from 1631 until his death.

Life

Richard Neile completed his schooling at Westminster School. He attended St. John 's College, Cambridge His first major promotion made ​​him in 1605 to the Dean of Westminster; after which he was successively Bishop of Rochester ( 1608), Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry ( 1610), bishop of Lincoln ( 1614), Bishop of Durham ( 1617), Bishop of Winchester ( 1628) and Archbishop of York ( 1631).

During his time in Rochester, he appointed William Laud as his chaplain, and gave him some important promotions. His political activity during his episcopal activity in Durham in 1627 was rewarded with membership in the secret Privy Council. Neile sat regularly in the court proceedings of the Star Chamber and the High Commission. His correspondence with Laud, Sir Dudley Carleton and Francis Windebank (both Secretaries of Charles I. ) are still valuable contemporary historical sources.