William Warham
William Warham was the son of Robert Warham, a tenant farmer from Malshanger in Hampshire. He studied at Winchester College before moving to New College, Oxford. After graduating, he practiced law in London and taught it at Oxford. His brother Sir Hugh Warham acquired an estate at Croydon which later passed to his daughter Agnes. This family background provided the foundation for his future legal career.
Warham took holy orders and held two livings known as Barley and Cottenham. In 1494 he became Master of the Rolls under Henry VII. The king found him useful as a clever diplomatist who could arrange important marriages. He helped organize the union between Arthur Prince of Wales and Catherine of Aragon. By 1502 he was consecrated Bishop of London while also serving as Keeper of the Great Seal. Two years later he assumed the dual roles of Lord Chancellor and Archbishop of Canterbury.
Henry VII relied on Warham to negotiate treaties with European powers during the late fifteenth century. He traveled to Scotland alongside Richard Foxe bishop of Durham in 1497. Warham helped draft commercial agreements with Maximilian I Holy Roman Emperor who also served as Count of Flanders. These negotiations involved Philip IV Duke of Burgundy acting as regent for his father. The archbishop's diplomatic work secured trade benefits for England while maintaining peace across the Channel.
Thomas Wolsey succeeded Warham as Lord Chancellor in 1515 after the latter resigned from office. Warham had previously consecrated Wolsey as bishop of Lincoln just one year before taking this step. His resignation possibly stemmed from disliking Henry VIII foreign policy decisions. A serious quarrel erupted between Warham and Foxe bishop of Winchester in 1512 over arbitrary actions taken by the archbishop. This conflict caused him to gradually withdraw into the background following the coronation ceremony.
Warham assisted Wolsey as assessor during a secret inquiry into Henry marriage validity in 1527. He used the phrase ira principis mors est meaning the king anger is death when explaining his reluctance to help Queen Catherine. Despite being named counselor to assist the queen he gave her very little support. He signed a letter to Pope Clement VII urging acceptance of Henry wishes regarding annulment. Later proposals suggested the archbishop himself should try the case but these came to nothing.
In February 1532 Warham protested against parliamentary acts concerning church matters passed since 1529. The Convocation of 1531 saw clergy vote £100,000 to avoid praemunire penalties while accepting Henry as supreme head so far as Law Christ allows. He drew up a protest likening Henry VIII actions to those of Henry II earlier centuries. Magna Carta was cited in defense of church liberties during this period of intense political pressure. His attempts to strike compromise during Submission of Clergy ultimately failed.
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Common questions
Who was William Warham and what was his family background?
William Warham was the son of Robert Warham, a tenant farmer from Malshanger in Hampshire. He studied at Winchester College before moving to New College, Oxford.
When did William Warham become Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Chancellor?
William Warham assumed the dual roles of Lord Chancellor and Archbishop of Canterbury two years after being consecrated Bishop of London in 1502. This occurred in 1504 when he took office following his service as Keeper of the Great Seal.
What diplomatic work did William Warham perform for Henry VII?
Henry VII relied on William Warham to negotiate treaties with European powers during the late fifteenth century. He traveled to Scotland alongside Richard Foxe bishop of Durham in 1497 and helped draft commercial agreements with Maximilian I Holy Roman Emperor.
Why did William Warham resign as Lord Chancellor in 1515?
Thomas Wolsey succeeded William Warham as Lord Chancellor in 1515 after the latter resigned from office. His resignation possibly stemmed from disliking Henry VIII foreign policy decisions.
How did William Warham respond to Henry VIII marriage annulment requests in 1527?
William Warham assisted Thomas Wolsey as assessor during a secret inquiry into Henry marriage validity in 1527. He signed a letter to Pope Clement VII urging acceptance of Henry wishes regarding annulment despite using the phrase ira principis mors est meaning the king anger is death when explaining his reluctance to help Queen Catherine.
When did William Warham protest against parliamentary acts concerning church matters?
In February 1532 William Warham protested against parliamentary acts concerning church matters passed since 1529. The Convocation of 1531 saw clergy vote £100,000 to avoid praemunire penalties while accepting Henry as supreme head so far as Law Christ allows.