14 Facts About Thomas Rotherham

Thomas Rotherham, known as Thomas de Rotherham, was an English cleric and statesman.

Thomas Rotherham served as bishop of several dioceses, most notably as Archbishop of York and, on two occasions as Lord Chancellor.

Thomas Rotherham is considered a venerable figure in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, his town of birth.

Thomas Rotherham is said to have been the eldest son of Sir Thomas Rotherham of Rotherham by his wife, Dame Alice.

Thomas Rotherham was first educated as a young boy by a teacher of grammar, who came, according to Thomas, "I know not by what fate save it was the Grace of God".

Thomas Rotherham was educated at King's College, Cambridge, graduating as a Bachelor of Divinity and becoming a Fellow of his college, and lectured on Grammar, Theology, and Philosophy.

Thomas Rotherham moved on to powerful positions in the Church, being appointed as Bishop of Rochester in 1468, Bishop of Lincoln in 1472, and then Archbishop of York in 1480, a position he held until 1500.

Thomas Rotherham was sent as ambassador to France in 1468 and as joint ambassador to Burgundy in 1471, and in 1475 was entrusted with the office of Lord Chancellor.

Between 1477 and his death, Thomas Rotherham was the owner of Barnes Hall in South Yorkshire.

Immediately after Edward's death, Rotherham sided with dowager queen Elizabeth Woodville in her attempt to deprive Richard, Duke of Gloucester of his role as Lord Protector of the new King, her son Edward V When Elizabeth sought sanctuary after Richard had taken charge of the king, Rotherham released the Great Seal to her.

Thomas Rotherham's remains were transferred to a magnificent marble tomb in York Minster in 1506.

Thomas Rotherham built part of Lincoln College, Oxford, and increased its endowment; at Cambridge, where he was four times Chancellor and Master of Pembroke Hall, he helped to build the University Library.

In 1480 Thomas Rotherham endowed a Chapel of Jesus within Thomas Rotherham parish church, providing a priest to sing masses for the souls of his ancestors.

Thomas Rotherham founded the College of Jesus in Rotherham as a memorial to his first teacher.