On This Day

Bishop Stephen Gardiner is appointed English Lord Chancellor

Stephen Gardiner (27 July 1483 – 12 November 1555) was an English Catholic bishop and politician during the English Reformation period who served as Lord Chancellor during the reign of Queen Mary...

Stephen Gardiner (27 July 1483 – 12 November 1555) was an English Catholic bishop and politician during the English Reformation period who served as Lord Chancellor during the reign of Queen Mary I.

Skilled in canon law, he had a significant career as a civil servant and diplomat, being brought to King Henry VIII's attention when working for Cardinal Wolsey, then serving as the king's Secretary. As a bishop, he was the most important religious conservative to retain his diocese during the later reign of Henry, supporting the king's claim as Supreme Governor of the Church of England. He spent most of the reign of Edward VI in prison, but was restored by Mary I of England, in whose reign he died.

Historical Significance

Stephen Gardiner (27 July 1483 – 12 November 1555) was an English Catholic bishop and politician during the English Reformation period who served as Lord Chancellor during the reign of Queen Mary I.

Events Before

  1. Gustav I, King of Sweden (56) marries his third wife, niece of his second wife Katarina Stenbock (17) at Vadstena Abbey

    Gustav I, King of Sweden (56) marries his third wife, niece of his second wife Katarina Stenbock (17) at Vadstena Abbey

  2. Dutch west coast hit by heavy storm, hundreds killed

    Dutch west coast hit by heavy storm, hundreds killed

  3. France signs a secret treaty with Protestant German princes of the Holy Roman Empire

    France signs a secret treaty with Protestant German princes of the Holy Roman Empire

  4. Dutch coast hit by heavy storm

    Dutch coast hit by heavy storm

  5. Privileges of Hanseatic League in England are abrogated

    Privileges of Hanseatic League in England are abrogated

Events After

  1. Bayinnaung is crowned King of Burma, assembles the largest empire in Southeast Asian history

    Bayinnaung is crowned King of Burma, assembles the largest empire in Southeast Asian history

  2. City of São Paulo founded in Brazil

    São Paulo is the capital city of the state of São Paulo, as well as the most populous city in Brazil, South America, the Americas, and in the Western and Southern Hemispheres.

  3. Queen Maria of England marries Philip, king of Naples/Jerusalem

    Mary I (18 February 1516 – 17 November 1558), also known as Mary Tudor, was Queen of England and Ireland from July 1553 and Queen of Spain as the wife of King Philip II from January 1556 until her...

  4. Mary I of England (37) marries Prince Philip of Spain (27) (later Philip II) at Winchester Cathedral, England

    Mary I (18 February 1516 – 17 November 1558), also known as Mary Tudor, was Queen of England and Ireland from July 1553 and Queen of Spain as the wife of King Philip II from January 1556 until her...

  5. Great fire in Eindhoven, Netherlands

    Great fire in Eindhoven, Netherlands

More from the 1550s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 23, 1553?
Stephen Gardiner (27 July 1483 – 12 November 1555) was an English Catholic bishop and politician during the English Reformation period who served as Lord Chancellor during the reign of Queen Mary I. Skilled in canon law, he had a significant career as a civil servant and diplomat, being brought to King Henry VIII's attention when working for Cardinal Wolsey, then serving as the king's Secretary. As a bishop, he was the most important religious conservative to retain his diocese during the later reign of Henry, supporting the king's claim as Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
Why is Bishop Stephen Gardiner is appointed English Lord Chancellor significant?
Stephen Gardiner (27 July 1483 – 12 November 1555) was an English Catholic bishop and politician during the English Reformation period who served as Lord Chancellor during the reign of Queen Mary I.

Explore More