James Smith (vicar apostolic)
Encyclopedia
James Smith was an English Roman Catholic prelate, Vicar-Apostolic of the Northern District under James II of England
.
in 1645, he was educated at the English College, Douai
, and was created D.D. on 5 February 1680. He was appointed President of Douai College, in succession to Francis Gage
, on 28 August 1682, and while in that post he inherited a large estate from his father (most of which he granted to a younger brother).
In 1687 he was nominated by James II
to be one of the four vicars-apostolic of England, each of whom had an annual stipend of £1,000. He was elected by Propaganda on 12 January 1678, and was consecrated at Somerset House
on 13 May 1688 as titular bishop
of Calliopolis. After his consecration he went to his vicariate, arriving on 2 August at York
, where he was received by the secular and regular clergy, who sang the Te Deum
. In one of his visitations Smith was deprived of his large crozier by Thomas Osborne, Earl of Danby
, who deposited it in York Minster.
On the flight of the king, Smith left York and sought refuge in the house of Francis Tunstall of Wycliffe
, who gave him hospitality and protection till the time of his death. In 1700 it was contemplated that he should be promoted to the cardinalate and to the office of Protector of England, which had been vacant since the death of Cardinal Howard
; the Duke of Berwick and Dr. George Witham
were commissioned from St. Germains to solicit this appointment from Clement XI. Smith died at Wycliffe on 13 May 1711.
James II of England
James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
.
Life
Born at WinchesterWinchester
Winchester is a historic cathedral city and former capital city of England. It is the county town of Hampshire, in South East England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs, along the course of...
in 1645, he was educated at the English College, Douai
English College, Douai
The English College, Douai was a Catholic seminary associated with the University of Douai . It was established in about 1561, and was suppressed in 1793...
, and was created D.D. on 5 February 1680. He was appointed President of Douai College, in succession to Francis Gage
Francis Gage
Francis Gage was an English Roman Catholic priest, who became President of the English College, Douai.-Life:Born 1 February 1621, he was son of John Gage of Haling, Surrey, by his second wife, Mrs. Barnes, a widow. He was half-brother of Sir Henry Gage, governor of Oxford, of George Gage and of...
, on 28 August 1682, and while in that post he inherited a large estate from his father (most of which he granted to a younger brother).
In 1687 he was nominated by James II
James II of England
James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
to be one of the four vicars-apostolic of England, each of whom had an annual stipend of £1,000. He was elected by Propaganda on 12 January 1678, and was consecrated at Somerset House
Somerset House
Somerset House is a large building situated on the south side of the Strand in central London, England, overlooking the River Thames, just east of Waterloo Bridge. The central block of the Neoclassical building, the outstanding project of the architect Sir William Chambers, dates from 1776–96. It...
on 13 May 1688 as titular bishop
Titular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Calliopolis. After his consecration he went to his vicariate, arriving on 2 August at York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
, where he was received by the secular and regular clergy, who sang the Te Deum
Te Deum
The Te Deum is an early Christian hymn of praise. The title is taken from its opening Latin words, Te Deum laudamus, rendered literally as "Thee, O God, we praise"....
. In one of his visitations Smith was deprived of his large crozier by Thomas Osborne, Earl of Danby
Thomas Osborne, 1st Duke of Leeds
Thomas Osborne, 1st Duke of Leeds, KG , English statesman , served in a variety of offices under Kings Charles II and William III of England.-Early life, 1632–1674:The son of Sir Edward Osborne, Bart., of Kiveton, Yorkshire, Thomas Osborne...
, who deposited it in York Minster.
On the flight of the king, Smith left York and sought refuge in the house of Francis Tunstall of Wycliffe
Wycliffe
-People:*Wycliffe Grousbeck, CEO, Governor, and co-owner of the Boston Celtics basketball team*Wycliffe Bubba Morton , American Major League Baseball player*Wycliffe Juma Oluoch , Kenyan footballer*Wycliffe Oparanya, Kenyan politician...
, who gave him hospitality and protection till the time of his death. In 1700 it was contemplated that he should be promoted to the cardinalate and to the office of Protector of England, which had been vacant since the death of Cardinal Howard
Cardinal Howard
Cardinal Howard may refer to:* Philip Howard * Edward Henry Howard...
; the Duke of Berwick and Dr. George Witham
George Witham
George Witham was an English Roman Catholic bishop who served firstly as the Vicar Apostolic of the Midland District, then the Vicar Apostolic of the Northern District.-Early life:...
were commissioned from St. Germains to solicit this appointment from Clement XI. Smith died at Wycliffe on 13 May 1711.