William Sancroft

William Sancroft, 79th Archbishop of Canterbury

William Sancroft (1617–1693) was the 79th Archbishop of Canterbury and a significant figure in the tumultuous religious and political landscape of 17th-century England. His tenure as archbishop was marked by his principled stands, which led to both imprisonment and eventual deprivation of his office.

Life and Historical Context

Born in Fressingfield, Suffolk, Sancroft received his education at Bury St Edmunds grammar school and Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He was ejected from his fellowship in 1649 for refusing to accept the "Engagement" but returned to college affairs after the Restoration. He held several important positions, including Master of Emmanuel College (1662–1665) and Dean of St Paul's (1664). In this latter role, he was instrumental in assisting the rebuilding of St Paul's Cathedral after the Great Fire of London, to which he personally contributed £1400.

Opposition and Deprivation

Sancroft rose to national prominence when, as Archbishop, he wrote the petition against the reading of King James II's Declaration of Indulgence in 1688. This act of defiance, along with six of his suffragans, led to their collective imprisonment as the "Seven Bishops." Though acquitted, the event highlighted his opposition to policies perceived as infringing on the Church's rights. Following the Glorious Revolution, Sancroft refused to swear allegiance to the new monarchs, William III and Mary II, resulting in his suspension and eventual deprivation of the archiepiscopate in 1690.

The Nonjuring Schism

After his deprivation, Sancroft continued to exert influence within the Church of England. He enabled and supported the consecration of new nonjuring bishops, a movement of clergy who, like himself, refused to take oaths to the new government. To further justify the principles of his nonjuring party, Sancroft published John Overall's Convocation Book, which asserted the divine institution of government. He spent his final years in retirement in his native Fressingfield, where he died and was buried.

Notable Contributions and Relationships

Beyond his public roles, Sancroft also made significant contributions to church rebuilding and theological discourse. His patronage extended to individuals such as Henry Wharton, a divine and church historian, and Mary Astell, a philosopher and writer, to whom he provided financial support and an introduction to a publisher.