GEMMS IDGEMMS-PERSON-000389
NamePeter Smart
TitleMr
Gendermale
DenominationChurch of England
Livedb. ca. 1568-03-25 - d. ca. 1652-03-25 (old)
Linked Manuscripts
Linked SermonsSermon on Exodus 19:6 -- preacher? (autograph: uncertain)The Vanitie & Downefall of Superstitious Popish Ceremonies -- preacher (autograph: no)
Linked Reports
Associated PlacesBishopstoke -- ParishBoldon -- ParishGreat Aycliffe -- ParishBroadgates Hall -- Place of StudyChrist Church -- Place of StudyWestminster School -- Place of StudyDurham Cathedral -- PostDurham School -- PostKing's Bench -- Prison
Source of DataJeanne Shami
Biographical Sources ConsultedODNB (Article: 25745); AO (Foster)
Other NotePeter Smart, born in 1568/9, was the son of William Smart, vicar of Stratford upon Avon; his mother was likely Katherine Leuce, who married his father in 1559. He attended Westminster School as a queen’s scholar and matriculated as a battler of Broadgates Hall, Oxford in 1588; he was elected to a studentship at Christ Church by April 1589, graduating B.A. in 1592 and proceeding M.A. in 1595. He was appointed master of Durham school in 1597, likely remaining there until 1609. He married Susanna during this time, with whom he had several children. Smart was ordained in 1606 and presented to the rectory of Boldon, co. Durham, serving at some point as master of the nearby St Edmund’s Hospital before 1610; he was also made prebendary of the cathedral in 1606 and promoted in 1614. In 1617 Smart became embroiled in a controversy regarding the cathedral and Arminian changes that were made to its fabric. In 1628 he mounted an attack on liturgical changes at the cathedral in “A Sermon Preach’d at Durham”, resulting in a legal battle waged between himself and the dean and chapter. He was imprisoned in 1629 and censured upon his return to York. He resigned Boldon and was degraded in 1630. Shortly afterwards he was once again imprisoned in the King’s Bench for refusing to pay a fine, and was only granted release in 1642. He took the covenant in 1643 and was reinstated in his prebend and benefices by Parliament; he was admitted to the rectory of Bishopstoke, Hampshire in 1645 and Great Aycliffe, co. Durham in 1646. He likely died at Baxter-Wood, co. Durham c.1652.
Attached URLs:
| URL | Notes |
|---|---|
| www.british-history.ac.uk/alumni-oxon/1500-1714/pp1350-1368 | Alumni Oxonienses |
GEMMS record createdApril 18, 2016
GEMMS record last editedAugust 24, 2021