William Hyde (Douai)
Encyclopedia
William Hyde was an English Roman Catholic convert and priest, presumed to be of Dutch or Flemish background, who became President of the English College, Douai
.
, in October 1614, and graduated B.A. in December of the same year, having had recently studied logic there for a semester at Leyden. The Oxford authorities allowed him (13 December 1614) to include the semester in his Oxford terms. He proceeded M.A. in 1617.
In 1622 Bayart, known from that time as Hyde, became a Catholic, and entered the English College at Douai
on 6 January 1623. He studied philosophy there under Harrington, and divinity, and was ordained priest in 1625. Succeeding his master Harrington, he remained for four more years in the college, as professor of philosophy. He returned to England, where he remained for a few years, holding the chaplaincy to John Preston of Furness Abbey
in 1631, and the same office in the household of Henry Parker, 5th Baron Monteagle in 1632.
In 1633 he went back to Douai, and lectured on divinity; some of his letters written about this time are preserved. Driven from Douai by the plague about 1636, he became chaplain to the Blount family of Soddington, Worcestershire
, where he remained for three years, holding during part of that time the Roman Catholic office of archdeacon of Worcester and Salop. He afterwards entered the family of Humphrey Weld
, who during Hyde's chaplaincy in 1641 purchased Lulworth Castle
, Dorset
. In 1641 George Muscott, held as a prisoner in England, was appointed President of the college at Douai; Hyde agreed to fill his place, and arrived in Douay on 12 October 1641. Meanwhile Muscott was unexpectedly set free and banished. He then assumed the presidentship, and Hyde acted as vice-president, with a papal pension, until Muskett's death in 1645. He succeeded as President on 21 July 1646, and was created a D.D. in the year following.
As president Hyde cleared the college of a heavy load of debt, increased its library, and settled a controversy about the degrees of missioners. The Bishop of Arras made him censor librorum in 1648. He became canon of St. Amalus, and was appointed both regius professor of history and public orator in the University of Douai
in 1649. In March 1651 Charles II of England
paid the college a visit, and Hyde presented him with an address.
Hyde died on 22 December 1651, and was buried in Our Lady's chapel in the church of St. James at Douay. By his will he left the English College over nine thousand florins.
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...
.
Life
His real suname was Bayart or Beyard, and he was born in London on 27 March 1597. He entered Leyden University on 16 June 1610. He matriculated from Christ Church, OxfordChrist Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
, in October 1614, and graduated B.A. in December of the same year, having had recently studied logic there for a semester at Leyden. The Oxford authorities allowed him (13 December 1614) to include the semester in his Oxford terms. He proceeded M.A. in 1617.
In 1622 Bayart, known from that time as Hyde, became a Catholic, and entered the English College at Douai
Douai
-Main sights:Douai's ornate Gothic style belfry was begun in 1380, on the site of an earlier tower. The 80 m high structure includes an impressive carillon, consisting of 62 bells spanning 5 octaves. The originals, some dating from 1391 were removed in 1917 during World War I by the occupying...
on 6 January 1623. He studied philosophy there under Harrington, and divinity, and was ordained priest in 1625. Succeeding his master Harrington, he remained for four more years in the college, as professor of philosophy. He returned to England, where he remained for a few years, holding the chaplaincy to John Preston of Furness Abbey
Furness Abbey
Furness Abbey, or St. Mary of Furness is a former monastery situated on the outskirts of the English town of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. The abbey dates back to 1123 and was once the second wealthiest and most powerful Cistercian monastery in the country, behind only Fountains Abbey in North...
in 1631, and the same office in the household of Henry Parker, 5th Baron Monteagle in 1632.
In 1633 he went back to Douai, and lectured on divinity; some of his letters written about this time are preserved. Driven from Douai by the plague about 1636, he became chaplain to the Blount family of Soddington, Worcestershire
Worcestershire
Worcestershire is a non-metropolitan county, established in antiquity, located in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three counties that comprise the "Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire" NUTS 2 region...
, where he remained for three years, holding during part of that time the Roman Catholic office of archdeacon of Worcester and Salop. He afterwards entered the family of Humphrey Weld
Humphrey Weld
Humphrey Weld was an English merchant who was Lord Mayor of London in 1608.Weld was a city of London merchant and a member of the Worshipful Company of Grocers. On 9 May 1598, he was elected an alderman of the City of London for Farringdon Within ward. He was Sheriff of London from 1599 to 1600....
, who during Hyde's chaplaincy in 1641 purchased Lulworth Castle
Lulworth Castle
Lulworth Castle, in East Lulworth, Dorset, situated south of Wool, is an early 17th century mock castle. The stone building has now been re-built as a museum....
, Dorset
Dorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
. In 1641 George Muscott, held as a prisoner in England, was appointed President of the college at Douai; Hyde agreed to fill his place, and arrived in Douay on 12 October 1641. Meanwhile Muscott was unexpectedly set free and banished. He then assumed the presidentship, and Hyde acted as vice-president, with a papal pension, until Muskett's death in 1645. He succeeded as President on 21 July 1646, and was created a D.D. in the year following.
As president Hyde cleared the college of a heavy load of debt, increased its library, and settled a controversy about the degrees of missioners. The Bishop of Arras made him censor librorum in 1648. He became canon of St. Amalus, and was appointed both regius professor of history and public orator in the University of Douai
University of Douai
The University of Douai is a former university in Douai, France. With a Middle Ages heritage of scholar activities in Douai, the university was established in 1559 and lectures started in 1562. It closed from 1795 to 1808...
in 1649. In March 1651 Charles II of England
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...
paid the college a visit, and Hyde presented him with an address.
Hyde died on 22 December 1651, and was buried in Our Lady's chapel in the church of St. James at Douay. By his will he left the English College over nine thousand florins.
Works
Two manuscripts of Hyde's remain:- ‘A Resolution of Certain Cases.’
- ‘Abridgment of the Annals of Baronius.’