Accepted Frewen

The Most Reverend Accepted Frewen
Archbishop of York
Diocese	Diocese of York
Installed	1660
Term ended	1664
Predecessor	John Williams
Successor	Richard Sterne
Other posts	Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry (1644–1660) Dean of Gloucester (1631–1644)
Orders
Consecration	c. 1644
Personal details
Born	1588 Northiam, Sussex
Died	1664 (aged 75–76)
Nationality	English
Denomination	Anglican
Parents	John Frewen
Alma mater	Magdalen College, Oxford

Accepted Frewen (1588–1664) was a priest in the Church of England and Archbishop of York from 1660 to 1664.

Life

Frewen was born at Northiam, in Sussex, the son of John Frewen who was the rector there. The unusual forename is an example of the type of puritan name not uncommon in the area in the late sixteenth century; his brother was called Thankful Frewen. He was educated at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he became a Fellow in 1612. Anthony Wood describes him as being at that time "puritanically enclin'd". In 1617 and 1621 the college allowed him to act as chaplain to Sir John Digby, ambassador in Spain. In Madrid he preached a sermon that pleased Prince Charles, afterwards Charles I, who, on his accession, appointed him one of his chaplains.

In 1625 he became canon of Canterbury Cathedral and Vice-President of Magdalen College, and in the following year he was elected President. He was Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University in 1628 and 1629, and again in 1638 and 1639. In 1631 he was appointed (additionally) Dean of Gloucester. It was mainly by his instrumentality that the University plate was sent to the king at York in 1642.

Two years later (in 1644) he was consecrated Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, and resigned his presidency (and deanery). Parliament declared his estates forfeited for treason in 1652, and Cromwell afterwards set a price on his head. The proclamations, however, designated him Stephen Frewen, and he was consequently able to escape into France. At the Restoration he reappeared in public, and in 1660 he was consecrated Archbishop of York. In 1661 he acted as chairman of the Savoy conference.

References

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Academic offices
Preceded by William Langton	President of Magdalen College, Oxford 1626–1644	Succeeded by John Oliver
Preceded by William Juxon	Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University 1628–1630	Succeeded by William Smyth