Summary
Christopher Wren B.D. (17 September 1589[1] – 29 May 1658) was an Anglican cleric who was Dean of Windsor from 1635 until his death,[2] and the father of the prominent architect Christopher Wren.
Christopher Wren | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 17 September 1589 (in Julian calendar)  |
| Died | 29 May 1658 (in Julian calendar) (aged 68) |
| Occupation | Chaplain |
| Children | Christopher Wren |
| Position held | Dean of Windsor, rector |
Family edit
Christopher Wren Senior was the son of Francis Wren, a citizen and mercer of London,[3] who served steward to Mary Queen of Scots during her captivity in England.[4]
His mother was Suzanna Wiggington. His father was the only son of Cuthbert Wren, of Monk's-Kirby, in the county of Warwick, second son of William Wren, of Sherborne-House and of Billy-Hall in the bishopric of Durham.[5] He was descended from an ancient family which came originally from Denmark.[6] His parents lived in the parish of St Peter, Westcheap in the City of London, and had three children: a daughter Anna, and two sons; Matthew, born 1585, and Christopher, born 1589.[7] His brother Matthew preceded him as Dean of Windsor.
Christopher Wren married Mary Cox. Their son was the famed architect Sir Christopher Wren.
Career edit
He was educated at Merchant Taylors School, London, and St John's College, Oxford and graduated BA in 1609, MA in 1613, BD in 1620. In 1630 he was created Doctor of Divinity at Peterhouse, Cambridge,[8] where his brother Matthew was president.
He was appointed:[5]
- Chaplain to Bishop Lancelot Andrewes
- Chaplain to King Charles I, 1628
- Rector of Fonthill Bishop, Wiltshire, 1620[8]
- Rector of East Knoyle, Wiltshire, 1623[8]
- Registrar of the Order of the Garter, 1634[8]
- Dean of Wolverhampton, 1639
- Rector of Great Haseley, Oxfordshire, 1639[8]
He was appointed Dean of Windsor in 1635.[8] When Parliamentary forces occupied Windsor Castle, he refused to give to Captain Fogg the keys of St George's Chapel. On 23 October 1642 Fogg broke open the treasury and plundered it. Wren managed to preserve the records of the Order of the Garter, and King Edward III's sword.
Death edit
Christopher Wren died at Bletchingdon, Oxfordshire on 29 May 1658.[8]
Notes edit
- ^ Gandy, Wallace (1922). The Wren family of Suffolk (PDF). Vol. XVIII Part 1.
- ^ Fasti Wyndesorienses, May 1950. S. L. Ollard. Published by the Dean and Canons of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle
- ^ Mathew David (1948). The Social Structure In Caroline England.
- ^ "The Project Gutenberg eBook of Sir Christopher Wren, by Lucy Phillimore". www.gutenberg.org. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ^ a b Wren, Christopher (1750). Parentalia Or Memoirs of the Family of the Wrens Viz. of Mathew Bishop of Ely, Christopher Dean of Windsor ... But Chiefly of --- Surveyor-general of the Royal Buildings ... Now Published by Stephen Wren. Osborn.
- ^ Crabb, George (1833). Universal Historical Dictionary: Or, Explanation of the Names of Persons and Places in the Departments of Biblical, Political, and Ecclesiastical History, Mythology, Heraldry, Biography, Bibliography, Geography, and Numismatics. Baldwin and Cradock, and J. Dowding.
- ^ "The Project Gutenberg eBook of Sir Christopher Wren, by Lucy Phillimore". www.gutenberg.org. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Christopher Wren (WRN620C)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
Further reading edit
- Waylen, J. (1857). "Christopher Wren of East Knoyle, D.D." Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine. 3 (7): 115–119 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.