Roger Fenton (clergyman)
Encyclopedia
Roger Fenton was an English clergyman, one of the translators of the Authorised King James Version.
and was educated at Pembroke Hall, Cambridge, where he matriculated as a sizar
in 1585. He graduated B.A. in 1589, becoming a fellow in 1590. He graduated M.A. in 1592; he later proceeded B.D. in 1602 and D.D. in 1613. From 1598 he was preacher to the readers at Gray's Inn
, and held the post till his death.
In 1601 he was made rector of St. Stephen's, Walbrook, and in 1603 of the neighbouring St. Benet's Sherehog. He resigned the latter in 1606, on his appointment to the vicarage of Chigwell
, Essex
. In 1609 he succeeded Lancelot Andrewes
in the prebend of St. Pancras in St. Paul's, which made him rector and patron, as well as vicar, of Chigwell. Fenton was one of the Second Westminster Company of translators of the King James Bible, dealing with the Epistles of the New Testament. He died 16 January 1615, and was buried under the communion-table.
was then a prisoner in the Tower of London
. In 1611 Fenton published 'A Treatise of Usurie,' in three books; there was a second edition in 1612. In 1652 there appeared a tract by Robert Filmer
The author states in his preface that George Downame
, Fenton and Andrewes are the noted opponents of usury
, in England, but (he continues) 'I have made choice of Dr. Fenton's treatise to examine because it is latest, and I find little of any moment but is in him.' A note by Roger Twysden in Filmer's book suggests it was written three decades before publication.
In 1617 his successor at Chigwell, Emmanuel Utie, published A Treatise against the Necessary Dependance upon that One Head and the present Reconciliation to the Church of Rome. Together with certaine sermons preached in publike assemblies. Utie prefixes a dedication of his own to Sir Francis Bacon, in which he calls the treatise 'the Posthumus of Doctor Fenton,' but says that it lacked final revision. He seems to imply that Fenton's treatise on usury was also dedicated to Bacon. The sermons in this volume are six in number, three of them having been preached before King James.
Fenton was a popular preacher of the day; one of his sermons, 'Of Simonie and Sacriledge,' was published in 1604, from which it appears that he was at that date chaplain to Sir Thomas Egerton, the lord chancellor. Another was published in 1615, 'Upon Oathes,' preached before the Grocers' Company; and a small volume containing four more appeared in 1616.
Life
He was born in LancashireLancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
and was educated at Pembroke Hall, Cambridge, where he matriculated as a sizar
Sizar
At Trinity College, Dublin and the University of Cambridge, a sizar is a student who receives some form of assistance such as meals, lower fees or lodging during his or her period of study, in some cases in return for doing a defined job....
in 1585. He graduated B.A. in 1589, becoming a fellow in 1590. He graduated M.A. in 1592; he later proceeded B.D. in 1602 and D.D. in 1613. From 1598 he was preacher to the readers at Gray's Inn
Gray's Inn
The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, commonly known as Gray's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
, and held the post till his death.
In 1601 he was made rector of St. Stephen's, Walbrook, and in 1603 of the neighbouring St. Benet's Sherehog. He resigned the latter in 1606, on his appointment to the vicarage of Chigwell
Chigwell
Chigwell is a civil parish and town in the Epping Forest district of Essex. It is located 11.6 miles north east of Charing Cross. It is served by two London Underground stations and has a London area code.-Etymology:According to P. H...
, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
. In 1609 he succeeded Lancelot Andrewes
Lancelot Andrewes
Lancelot Andrewes was an English bishop and scholar, who held high positions in the Church of England during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I and King James I. During the latter's reign, Andrewes served successively as Bishop of Chichester, Ely and Winchester and oversaw the translation of the...
in the prebend of St. Pancras in St. Paul's, which made him rector and patron, as well as vicar, of Chigwell. Fenton was one of the Second Westminster Company of translators of the King James Bible, dealing with the Epistles of the New Testament. He died 16 January 1615, and was buried under the communion-table.
Works
His first work, An Answer to William Alablaster his Motives, was published in 1599, noting that William AlabasterWilliam Alabaster
William Alabaster was an English poet, playwright, and religious writer. His surname is one of the many variants of "arbalester", a crossbowman....
was then a prisoner in the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
. In 1611 Fenton published 'A Treatise of Usurie,' in three books; there was a second edition in 1612. In 1652 there appeared a tract by Robert Filmer
Robert Filmer
thumbnail|150px|right|Robert Filmer Sir Robert Filmer was an English political theorist who defended the divine right of kings...
The author states in his preface that George Downame
George Downame
George Downame was a Doctor of Divinity, Lord Bishop of Derry, chaplain to James I and King James VI, and a brother of John Downame....
, Fenton and Andrewes are the noted opponents of usury
Usury
Usury Originally, when the charging of interest was still banned by Christian churches, usury simply meant the charging of interest at any rate . In countries where the charging of interest became acceptable, the term came to be used for interest above the rate allowed by law...
, in England, but (he continues) 'I have made choice of Dr. Fenton's treatise to examine because it is latest, and I find little of any moment but is in him.' A note by Roger Twysden in Filmer's book suggests it was written three decades before publication.
In 1617 his successor at Chigwell, Emmanuel Utie, published A Treatise against the Necessary Dependance upon that One Head and the present Reconciliation to the Church of Rome. Together with certaine sermons preached in publike assemblies. Utie prefixes a dedication of his own to Sir Francis Bacon, in which he calls the treatise 'the Posthumus of Doctor Fenton,' but says that it lacked final revision. He seems to imply that Fenton's treatise on usury was also dedicated to Bacon. The sermons in this volume are six in number, three of them having been preached before King James.
Fenton was a popular preacher of the day; one of his sermons, 'Of Simonie and Sacriledge,' was published in 1604, from which it appears that he was at that date chaplain to Sir Thomas Egerton, the lord chancellor. Another was published in 1615, 'Upon Oathes,' preached before the Grocers' Company; and a small volume containing four more appeared in 1616.