When was Stephen Gardiner born and where did he come from?
Stephen Gardiner was born in Bury St Edmunds around 1483. He rose from a modest background to become the most formidable legal mind of his generation.
Common questions about Stephen Gardiner
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What legal argument did Stephen Gardiner use to support King Henry VIII's divorce?
Stephen Gardiner argued that the King's authority was absolute and divine to provide legal cover for the King's most radical actions. This belief system was articulated in his treatise De vera obedientia and became the legal foundation for the English Reformation.
When was Stephen Gardiner deprived of his bishopric and who replaced him?
Stephen Gardiner was deprived of his bishopric in February 1551 and returned to the Tower where he remained for the rest of the reign. His bishopric was given to John Ponet, a chaplain of Cranmer's.
What role did Stephen Gardiner play during the reign of Queen Mary I?
Stephen Gardiner was restored to his bishopric and appointed Lord Chancellor at the accession of Queen Mary I in 1553. He opened her first parliament and was tasked with negotiating the Queen's marriage treaty with Philip II of Spain.
When did Stephen Gardiner die and where was he buried?
Stephen Gardiner died at Westminster on the 12th of November 1555. He was temporarily buried in a vault at the church of St Mary Overie, and in February 1556 his body was conveyed to Winchester Cathedral.