Gervase BABINGTON (Bishop of Exeter and Worcester)

Born: ABT 1550, Dethick, Derbyshire, England Died: 17 May 1610

A native of Nottinghamshire. Whilst Chaplain to Henry, Earl of Pembroke, he assisted the noble Countess, Mary Sidney, in her translation of the Psalms. Through the interest of such patrons, he was promoted to the See of Llandaff, to which he was consecrated by the Primate, Whitgift, on 29 Aug 1591.

On the death of Bishop Woolton, Queen Elizabeth recommended him to the Dean and Chapter of Exeter in her letters patent, dated 22 Mar 1594, as a successor. It is highly creditable to Dr. Godwin, the biographer, then Canon and Subdean of Exeter, that he did all he could to prevent this new Bishop from injuring the see, by surrendering to the Crown the manor and borough of Crediton: yet all opposition proved abortive. Queen Elizabeth had no sooner secured this property, than she granted it, on 15 May 1595, to William Killigrew, Esq., one of the Grooms of her Chamber. Heylin has very incorrectly charged this wrongful dismemberment to the memory of William Cotton, the successor of Babington ('Hist. Reform.' part ii. p. 58). Perhaps this act of obsequious subserviency to the royal wish induced Elizabeth to translate our prelate to the wealthier see of Worcester, on 4 Oct 1597. He could not be regretted here: he left the palace in a dilapidated state, as we shall show hereafter.

He was Vice-President of the Royal Council in the Marches of Wales, 1605.

After sitting at Worcester nearly thirteen years, he died on 17 May 1610. The library of that church he "enriched with many choice books" ('Athen. Oxon.' part i. p. 754). His previous printed works, comprising 'Notes on the Pentateuch,' 'Exposition of the Creed, the Commandments, and the Lord's Prayer,' 'A. Conference betwixt Man's Frailty and Faith,' and three Sermons, were published in a folio volume in 1615, and 1622.

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