George Dowdall was a sixteenth-century Irish cleric, who was twice Archbishop of Armagh.
13 Facts About George Dowdall
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The George Dowdall family came to Ireland from Dovedale in Derbyshire in the thirteenth century and settled in County Louth.
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George Dowdall had at least one brother, Christopher, who married Thomasine Cusack, a member of the prominent Cusack family of Cussington, County Meath.
4.
Christopher was the father of James George Dowdall, who became Lord Chief Justice of Ireland.
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George Dowdall entered the Order of the Brethren of the Cross at an early age and became the last Prior of their house at Ardee.
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George Dowdall was appointed Primate of All Ireland by Henry VIII in 1543 to succeed George Cromer.
7.
George Dowdall accepted Henry's position as Supreme Head on Earth of the Church of Ireland, but like Henry, he took an anti-Protestant theological position.
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Henry VIII 8.
George Dowdall was deprived of his Primacy, but was not formally deposed as Archbishop.
9.
George Dowdall was energetic in attempting to undo the effects of the Reformation, holding two provincial synods at Drogheda to restore the constitution of the pre-Reformation Church.
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George Dowdall was particularly zealous in depriving married clergy of their livings, and as a result was accused of taking the opportunity to persecute his personal enemies, such as George Browne, Archbishop of Dublin.
11.
George Dowdall was made a member of the Privy Council of Ireland.
12.
George Dowdall died in London while on official business there.
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George Dowdall was noted from an early age for gravity of character and learning, but for his "high stomach".