Reginald Pole

Reginald Pole: Cardinal Archbishop of Canterbury

Reginald Pole (1500–1558) was a pivotal English cardinal and the final Catholic Archbishop of Canterbury, holding the office from 1556 to 1558 during the period known as the Marian Restoration of Catholicism. His life and career were deeply intertwined with the religious and political upheavals of Tudor England, particularly the break with Rome initiated by King Henry VIII.

Early Life and Education

Born into the prominent Pole family, Reginald was a relative of the royal house of Plantagenet. He received his early education at institutions like Sheen Priory and matriculated at Magdalen College, Oxford. His intellectual development continued at the University of Padua, where he encountered leading Renaissance figures. His early career saw him hold various ecclesiastical positions, including deaneries and prebends, though he was not yet ordained a priest.

Break with Henry VIII and Exile

Pole's loyalty to the Catholic Church led to a decisive break with King Henry VIII. He refused to support the King's annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon and the establishment of the Church of England, which he viewed as a challenge to papal authority. This stance led him to go into self-imposed exile in France and Italy in 1532. During his exile, he continued his studies and became involved in Counter-Reformation efforts.

Cardinalate and Return to England

In 1536, Pole was created a cardinal, despite his initial objections, and served as a papal legate. The King's actions against Pole's family, including the execution of his mother, Margaret Pole, further solidified his opposition to Henry VIII. Following the death of Edward VI and the accession of Queen Mary I, Pole was invited back to England. He returned in 1554 as a papal legate with the mission to reconcile England with the Roman Catholic Church. He played a key role in the repeal of the Act of Supremacy and the re-establishment of Catholicism.

Archbishop of Canterbury and Later Years

Reginald Pole was ordained a priest in 1556 and consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury shortly thereafter. He also served as chancellor of Oxford and Cambridge universities. His tenure as archbishop coincided with the reign of persecution of Protestants under Mary I, though his direct involvement in these trials is debated, with some evidence suggesting a more lenient approach on his part. He also faced significant disputes with Pope Paul IV. Pole died in London on November 17, 1558, on the same day as Queen Mary I, during an influenza epidemic.