John Parker (archbishop)
Encyclopedia
John Parker DD
(died 28 December 1681) was a Church of Ireland
clergy
man who came to prominence after the English Restoration
, first as Bishop of Elphin, then as Archbishop of Tuam
and finally as Archbishop of Dublin
and Primate of Ireland
.
until his death. A John Parker is recorded as a scholar of Trinity College, Dublin
, in 1636.
in 1638 and in 1642 became a minor canon of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. He was prebendary
of Rathangan
, in the diocese of Kildare
, and in 1643 prebendary of Maynooth
at St Patrick's and of St Michan's at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin
, both benefice
s previously held by his father. When his father died in 1643 he succeeded him as dean of Killaloe.
During the early years of the Irish Confederate Wars
, Parker was in Dublin as chaplain
to the Earl of Ormond
, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
. In 1649, the Cromwellian
authorities deprived him of all his offices and imprisoned him as a suspected Royalist spy
, although his patron Ormond was able to get his release after only a few months in an exchange of prisoners. In 1650, Parker went to England. He stayed there until the Restoration
, when he was one of the Irish Royalist clergymen who secured new preferments. Appointed Bishop of Elphin on 6 August 1660, he was consecrated in Dublin on 27 January 1661, the day after he was made a Doctor of Divinity
by the University of Dublin
.
Parker was a member of the committee of the Irish House of Lords
which drafted a declaration in 1661 to continue the Anglican basis of the Church of Ireland
. In August 1661 he was sent to London
to present the Convocation's case to the king
, and he stayed there until March 1662.
On 9 August 1667, Parker was appointed Archbishop of Tuam
, a position which brought with it the sees of Annaghdown
and Kilfenora
.
On 25 October 1671, the future Archbishop William King of Dublin
was ordained a deacon
as Parker's chaplain
and became a member of his household at Tuam. King later recalled that after taking up this place he found a great contrast between the humble fare he had eaten as an undergraduate at Trinity and the abundance of the food and drink served in the Archbishop's palace.
In 1679, on the recommendation of Ormond, Parker was translated to become Archbishop of Dublin
and Primate of Ireland
, holding at the same time various other livings
. He died at Dublin in December 1681 and was entombed there in Christ Church
.
, and their eldest daughter, Mary, in 1666 married Murrough Boyle, 1st Viscount Blesington
, son of Michael Boyle
, Archbishop of Dublin and Lord Chancellor of Ireland
; but she died in 1668. Their daughter Elizabeth married Joseph Deane of Crumlin
, the heir to estates in the counties of Dublin, Wexford, Kilkenny, Cork, and Waterford, and they had two sons, Edward Deane, who became member of parliament
successively for Ennisteoge, County Dublin
and County Kilkenny
; and Joseph Deane
, Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer.
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
(died 28 December 1681) was a Church of Ireland
Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
man who came to prominence after the English Restoration
English Restoration
The Restoration of the English monarchy began in 1660 when the English, Scottish and Irish monarchies were all restored under Charles II after the Interregnum that followed the Wars of the Three Kingdoms...
, first as Bishop of Elphin, then as Archbishop of Tuam
Archdiocese of Tuam (Church of Ireland)
The Archbishopric of Tuam existed from the mid twelfth century until 1839, with its seat at Tuam.St Jarlath is considered to have founded Tuam as the seat of a bishop in about 501, and he stands first in the list of bishops of Tuam...
and finally as Archbishop of Dublin
Archbishop of Dublin (Church of Ireland)
The Archbishop of Dublin is the title of the senior cleric who presides over the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough in the Church of Ireland...
and Primate of Ireland
Primate of Ireland
The Primacy of Ireland was historically disputed between the Archbishop of Armagh and the Archbishop of Dublin until finally settled by Pope Innocent VI. Primate is a title of honour denoting ceremonial precedence in the Church, and in the Middle Ages there was an intense rivalry between the two...
.
Early life
Born in Dublin, Parker was the son of another Rev. John Parker (d. 1643), also a Church of Ireland clergyman, dean of Leighlin (1618–37) and then of KillaloeKillaloe, County Clare
Killaloe is a large village in east County Clare, Ireland, situated in the midwest of Ireland. The village is on the south end of Lough Derg, while the settlement spreads across the River Shannon, with the County Tipperary side known as Ballina...
until his death. A John Parker is recorded as a scholar of Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
, in 1636.
Career
Parker was ordained a deaconDeacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
in 1638 and in 1642 became a minor canon of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. He was prebendary
Prebendary
A prebendary is a post connected to an Anglican or Catholic cathedral or collegiate church and is a type of canon. Prebendaries have a role in the administration of the cathedral...
of Rathangan
Rathangan
Rathangan may refer to:*Rathangan, County Kildare*Rathangan, County Wexford...
, in the diocese of Kildare
Diocese of Kildare
The Diocese of Kildare can refer to:*The Roman Catholic Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin*The Church of Ireland Diocese of Meath and Kildare...
, and in 1643 prebendary of Maynooth
Maynooth
Maynooth is a town in north County Kildare, Ireland. It is home to a branch of the National University of Ireland, a Papal University and Ireland's main Roman Catholic seminary, St. Patrick's College...
at St Patrick's and of St Michan's at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin
Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin
Christ Church Cathedral is the cathedral of the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough and the cathedral of the Ecclesiastical province of the United Provinces of Dublin and Cashel in the Church of Ireland...
, both benefice
Benefice
A benefice is a reward received in exchange for services rendered and as a retainer for future services. The term is now almost obsolete.-Church of England:...
s previously held by his father. When his father died in 1643 he succeeded him as dean of Killaloe.
During the early years of the Irish Confederate Wars
Irish Confederate Wars
This article is concerned with the military history of Ireland from 1641-53. For the political context of this conflict, see Confederate Ireland....
, Parker was in Dublin as chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
to the Earl of Ormond
James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde
James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde PC was an Irish statesman and soldier. He was the second of the Kilcash branch of the family to inherit the earldom. He was the friend of Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford, who appointeed him commander of the Cavalier forces in Ireland. From 1641 to 1647, he...
, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was the British King's representative and head of the Irish executive during the Lordship of Ireland , the Kingdom of Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
. In 1649, the Cromwellian
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
authorities deprived him of all his offices and imprisoned him as a suspected Royalist spy
SPY
SPY is a three-letter acronym that may refer to:* SPY , ticker symbol for Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipts* SPY , a satirical monthly, trademarked all-caps* SPY , airport code for San Pédro, Côte d'Ivoire...
, although his patron Ormond was able to get his release after only a few months in an exchange of prisoners. In 1650, Parker went to England. He stayed there until the Restoration
English Restoration
The Restoration of the English monarchy began in 1660 when the English, Scottish and Irish monarchies were all restored under Charles II after the Interregnum that followed the Wars of the Three Kingdoms...
, when he was one of the Irish Royalist clergymen who secured new preferments. Appointed Bishop of Elphin on 6 August 1660, he was consecrated in Dublin on 27 January 1661, the day after he was made a Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
by the University of Dublin
University of Dublin
The University of Dublin , corporately designated the Chancellor, Doctors and Masters of the University of Dublin , located in Dublin, Ireland, was effectively founded when in 1592 Queen Elizabeth I issued a charter for Trinity College, Dublin, as "the mother of a university" – this date making it...
.
Parker was a member of the committee of the Irish House of Lords
Irish House of Lords
The Irish House of Lords was the upper house of the Parliament of Ireland that existed from mediaeval times until 1800. It was abolished along with the Irish House of Commons by the Act of Union.-Function:...
which drafted a declaration in 1661 to continue the Anglican basis of the Church of Ireland
Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
. In August 1661 he was sent to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to present the Convocation's case to the king
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
, and he stayed there until March 1662.
On 9 August 1667, Parker was appointed Archbishop of Tuam
Archdiocese of Tuam (Church of Ireland)
The Archbishopric of Tuam existed from the mid twelfth century until 1839, with its seat at Tuam.St Jarlath is considered to have founded Tuam as the seat of a bishop in about 501, and he stands first in the list of bishops of Tuam...
, a position which brought with it the sees of Annaghdown
Annaghdown
Annaghdown is a parish in County Galway, Ireland. It takes its name from Eanach Dhúin, Irish for "the marsh of the fort". The village lies around Annaghdown Bay, an inlet of Lough Corrib...
and Kilfenora
Kilfenora
Kilfenora is a small village in County Clare in Ireland, just south of The Burren. The village is noted for being the home to the Kilfenora Ceili Band and the location for much of the filming of the sitcom Father Ted.-Places of interest:...
.
On 25 October 1671, the future Archbishop William King of Dublin
William King (archbishop)
William King, D.D. was an Anglican divine in the Church of Ireland, who was Archbishop of Dublin from 1703 to 1729. He was an author and supported the Glorious Revolution.-Early life:...
was ordained a deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
as Parker's chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
and became a member of his household at Tuam. King later recalled that after taking up this place he found a great contrast between the humble fare he had eaten as an undergraduate at Trinity and the abundance of the food and drink served in the Archbishop's palace.
In 1679, on the recommendation of Ormond, Parker was translated to become Archbishop of Dublin
Archbishop of Dublin (Church of Ireland)
The Archbishop of Dublin is the title of the senior cleric who presides over the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough in the Church of Ireland...
and Primate of Ireland
Primate of Ireland
The Primacy of Ireland was historically disputed between the Archbishop of Armagh and the Archbishop of Dublin until finally settled by Pope Innocent VI. Primate is a title of honour denoting ceremonial precedence in the Church, and in the Middle Ages there was an intense rivalry between the two...
, holding at the same time various other livings
Benefice
A benefice is a reward received in exchange for services rendered and as a retainer for future services. The term is now almost obsolete.-Church of England:...
. He died at Dublin in December 1681 and was entombed there in Christ Church
Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin
Christ Church Cathedral is the cathedral of the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough and the cathedral of the Ecclesiastical province of the United Provinces of Dublin and Cashel in the Church of Ireland...
.
Family
Parker married Mary, a daughter of Thomas Clarke of Fermoyle, County LongfordCounty Longford
County Longford is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Longford.Longford County Council is the local authority for the county...
, and their eldest daughter, Mary, in 1666 married Murrough Boyle, 1st Viscount Blesington
Murrough Boyle, 1st Viscount Blesington
Murragh Boyle, 1st Viscount Blesington was an Irish peer and member of the House of Lords.Murrough Boyle was born in Cork, Ireland, the son of The Most Reverend Michael Boyle, Archbishop Bishop of Armagh and Mary O'Brien. He married twice; firstly Mary Parker, daughter of Dr...
, son of Michael Boyle
Michael Boyle (the younger)
Michael Boyle, the younger , archbishop of Armagh, eldest son of Richard Boyle, Archbishop of Tuam, and nephew of the elder Michael, was born about 1609....
, Archbishop of Dublin and Lord Chancellor of Ireland
Lord Chancellor of Ireland
The office of Lord Chancellor of Ireland was the highest judicial office in Ireland until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. From 1721 to 1801 it was also the highest political office of the Irish Parliament.-13th century:...
; but she died in 1668. Their daughter Elizabeth married Joseph Deane of Crumlin
Crumlin, Dublin
Crumlin is suburb in Southside Dublin, Ireland. It is the site of Ireland's largest hospital for children.-Location:Crumlin covers the area from the River Poddle near the KCR to the Drimnagh Road, to Bunting Road, and is situated not far from the city centre, on the Southside of Dublin city....
, the heir to estates in the counties of Dublin, Wexford, Kilkenny, Cork, and Waterford, and they had two sons, Edward Deane, who became member of parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
successively for Ennisteoge, County Dublin
Dublin County (UK Parliament constituency)
Dublin County was a parliamentary constituency in Ireland, which returned two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom....
and County Kilkenny
Kilkenny County (UK Parliament constituency)
County Kilkenny parliamentary constituency was former UK Parliament County constituency in County Kilkenny in Ireland. The County constituency returned two Members of Parliament in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, from 1801 until 1885.County Kilkenny...
; and Joseph Deane
Joseph Deane
Joseph Deane was an Irish politician and judge who became Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer.- Background :He was born at Crumlin, Dublin, son of Joseph Deane and his wife Elizabeth Parker, daughter of John Parker, Archbishop of Dublin. His grandfather Major Joseph Deane was a close associate of...
, Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer.