Biography of Bishop James Montagu 1568-1618

In 1557 [his father] Edward Montagu (age 27) and [his mother] Elizabeth Harrington (age 12) were married.

Around 1568 Bishop James Montagu was born to [his father] Edward Montagu (age 38) and [his mother] Elizabeth Harrington (age 23).

On 21st September 1585 [his brother] Edward Montagu 1st Baron Montagu (age 22) and [his sister-in-law] Elizabeth Jeffrey (age 17) were married at Weekley, Northamptonshire.

On 1st June 1601 [his brother] Henry Montagu 1st Earl Manchester (age 38) and [his sister-in-law] Catherine Spencer (age 15) were married. The difference in their ages was 23 years.

On 26th January 1602 [his father] Edward Montagu (age 72) died at Brigstock, Boughton.

On 29th March 1608 Bishop James Montagu (age 40) was elected Bishop of Bath and Wells.

On 14th May 1608 Bishop James Montagu (age 40) was enthroned Bishop of Bath and Wells at Wells Cathedral [Map].

On 24th February 1612 [his brother] Edward Montagu 1st Baron Montagu (age 49) and [his sister-in-law] Frances Cotton (age 34) were married at Weekley, Northamptonshire.

On 9th November 1613 [his brother] Henry Montagu 1st Earl Manchester (age 50) and [his sister-in-law] Anne Wincot (age 60) were married.

Before 9th December 1614 Edmond Peacham was arrested on a complaint of Bishop James Montagu (age 46) by order of the court of high commission. On 9th December 1614 he was transferred to the Tower of London [Map]. On the 19th December 1614 he was brought to trial before the high commission court at Lambeth on a charge of libelling Montagu. He was found guilty, and was deprived of his orders.

In 1616 [his brother] Henry Montagu 1st Earl Manchester (age 53) was appointed Chief Justice of the King's Bench.

On 3rd July 1616 Bishop James Montagu (age 48) was translated to Bishop of Winchester.

On 19th May 1618 [his mother] Elizabeth Harrington (age 73) died.

On 20th July 1618 Bishop James Montagu (age 50) died. He was buried at Bath Abbey [Map].

Letters of the Court of James I 1618. [13th August 1618]. The [his brother] lord chief justice (age 55), and all his brethren, go down on Monday toward Bath, to the burial of the Bishop of Winchester (deceased).

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 14th June 1668. Sunday. Up, and walked up and down the town [Map], and saw a pretty good market-place, and many good streets, and very fair stone-houses. And so to the great Church [Map], and there saw Bishop Montagu's tomb¹ and, when placed, did there see many brave people come, and, among others, two men brought in, in litters, and set down in the chancel to hear: but I did not know one face. Here a good organ; but a vain, pragmatical fellow preached a ridiculous, affected sermon, that made me angry, and some gentlemen that sat next me, and sang well.

Note 1. James Montagu, Bishop of Bath and Wells in 1608, and of Winchester in 1616-died 1618. He was uncle to the Earl of Sandwich, whose mother was Pepys's aunt. Hence Pepys's curiosity respecting the tomb. B.