John Scory - Life

Life

He was a Norfolk man, who became a friar in the Dominicans' house at Cambridge about 1530, and was one of those who signed the surrender on its suppression in 1538. He proceeded B.D. in 1539. In 1541 he was one of the six preachers whom Thomas Cranmer appointed at Canterbury Cathedral. He was also one of Cranmer's chaplains.

Scory was accused for a sermon preached on Ascension day 1541, but nothing seems to have resulted. King Edward notes that when Joan Bocher was executed (2 May 1550) for heresy, Scory preached, and she reviled him, saying that he lied like a rogue and ought to read the Bible. He was about this time made examining chaplain to Nicholas Ridley, the bishop of London. In Lent 1551 he called attention to the want of ecclesiastical discipline, and to the covetousness of the rich, particularly in the matter of enclosures. He was appointed to the bishopric of Rochester on 26 April 1551, and was a commissioner appointed to revise the ecclesiastical laws (February 1551–2). On 23 May 1552 he was translated to Chichester.

On Mary's accession Scory was deprived, but submitted himself to Edmund Bonner, renounced his wife, did penance for being married, and, having recanted and been absolved, was allowed to officiate in the London diocese. He is also supposed to have circulated Cranmer's Declaration concerning the Mass. He soon, however, left England and went to Emden in Friesland, where he became superintendent of the English congregation. He also spent time at Wesel, then resided from 1556 at Geneva.

On Elizabeth's accession Scory returned to England. He preached before the queen in Lent 1559, took part in the Westminster disputation on 31 March 1559, and on 15 July 1559 became bishop of Hereford, one of the first bishops nominated by Elizabeth. When Henry III of France died, Scory preached at the solemn service held at St. Paul's Cathedral on 8 September 1559. He also assisted at Matthew Parker's consecration, and preached the sermon on 17 December 1559.

As diocesan bishop at Hereford Scory had troubles. He wrote to Parker describing the condition of his diocese, which contained many chapels either unserved or served with a reader only; some of the parish churches were in danger, owing to an interpretation of the statute for the suppression of colleges. He also was bothered by the proceedings of the council for the marches of Wales, and had difficulties with the cathedral clergy; but he obtained new statutes for the cathedral in 1582. He was accused of being a money-lender.

In dogma Scory was orthodox, and signed the articles of 1562, and the canons of 1571. He died at Whitbourne on 26 June 1585. He left money to charitable uses.