William Sancroft

William Sancroft (30 January 1617 – 24 November 1693), was the 79th Archbishop of Canterbury. Sancroft was born at Fressingfield in Suffolk, son of Francis Sandcroft (1580-1647) and Margaret Sandcroft née Butcher (1594-1631). He was educated at Bury St Edmunds school before being admitted to Emmanuel College, Cambridge in September 1633 and matriculating there in 1634. He became M.A. in 1641 and fellow in 1642, but was ejected in 1649 for refusin... more

William Sancroft (30 January 1617 – 24 November 1693), was the 79th Archbishop of Canterbury. Sancroft was born at Fressingfield in Suffolk, son of Francis Sandcroft (1580-1647) and Margaret Sandcroft née Butcher (1594-1631). He was educated at Bury St Edmunds school before being admitted to Emmanuel College, Cambridge in September 1633 and matriculating there in 1634. He became M.A. in 1641 and fellow in 1642, but was ejected in 1649 for refusing to accept the "Engagement." He then remained abroad till the Restoration, after which he was chosen one of the university preachers, and in 1663 was nominated to the deanery of York. He became Dean of St Paul's in 1664, greatly assisting with the rebuilding after the Great Fire of London, towards which he contributed £1400. He also rebuilt the deanery, and improved its revenue. In 1668 he was admitted archdeacon of Canterbury upon the king's presentation, but he resigned the post in 1670. In 1677, being now prolocutor of the Convocation, he... less