Simon Islip

Simon Islip (died 1366) was an English prelate. He served as Archbishop of Canterbury between 1349 and 1366.

Early life

Islip was the uncle of William Whittlesey. He was a cousin of Walter de Islip, Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer: both took their surname from their native village of Islip, Oxfordshire. Simon was educated at the University of Oxford where he took his doctorate in canon and civil law and became a fellow of Merton College in 1307. He was regarded as one off the outstanding ecclesiastical lawyers of his time.

Career

Islip was rector of Easton, near Stamford, and of St. Mary's Church, Horncastle; he became Archdeacon of Stow in 1332. He held several prebendaries of which the most important was Prebendal of Aylesbury at Lincoln Cathedral and was Vicar-General of the Diocese of Lincoln. He became Archdeacon of Canterbury in 1343 and subsequently Dean of Arches.

Lord Privy Seal

In 1347, possibly in September, Islip was appointed keeper of the Privy Seal. Previously he had held the seal of Lionel of Antwerp, the King's second son, who was the regent in England. He enjoyed the trust and confidence of Edward III, who relied on him in political and diplomatic as well as Church affairs, and gave him extensive powers during his absence in France.Though loyal to the King he did not hesitate to oppose him where the affairs of the Church were concerned, and later addressed a famous remonstrance, the Speculum Regis Edwardi, refusing the King's demand for a tenth of ecclesiastical income for six years. He vacated the office between 21 February and 1 May 1350.