Thomas Yong

a learned Civilian, Son of John Yong of Pembrokshire by Elianor his Wife, was born in that County, became a Student in the Univ. of Oxon (in Broadgates hall as it seems) about the year 1528. where applying his muse to the study of the Civil Law, took a degree in that faculty nine years after, being then in sacred Orders. In 1542. he was made principal of the said hall, and soonafter Chantor and Canon of S. Davids; where, being much scandalized at the unworthy actions of Rob. Ferrar Bishop of that place, did, with others, draw up articles against him; which being proved before the Kings Commissioners, the said Bishop was imprison’d in the time of K. Ed. 6. In the reign of Q. Mary, Th. Yong fled from the nation for religion sake, and remained in Germany in an obscure condition during her time. But when Q. Elizabeth came to the Crown, and H. Morgan another accuser of Rob. Ferrar, had been depriv’d of his Bishoprick of S. Davids, the said Yong was design’d to succeed him. Whereupon being consecrated (a)(a) Godwin. ut supr. int. Episc. Meneo. p. 616. thereunto 21. January 1559. aged 52 years, or thereabouts, the temporalities of the said See were delivered (b)(b) Pat. 2. Elizab. p. 14. to him on the 23. of March following. Where sitting till Feb. 1560. was then translated to York, and about the same time was made President of the Queens Council in the north parts of England. In Feb. 1564. he was actually created Doctor of the Civil Law, and dying on the 26. June, in fifteen hundred sixty and eight, 1562 was buried at the east end of the Choire of his Cath. Ch. at York. Over his grave was soon after laid a marble stone, with this Epitaph on it. Thomas Yongus nuper Eboracensis Archiepiscopus, Civilis juris Doctor peritissimus, quem propter gravitatem, summum ingenium, eximiam prudentiam, excellentemꝫ rerum politicarum scientiam, illustrissima Regina septentionalibus hujus regni partibus Praesidem constituit, quo magistratu quinꝫ annos perfunctus est. Sedit Archiepiscopus annos septem, & sex menses. Obiit Vicessimo sexto die mensis Junii, an. 1568. He had taken to Wife in his elderly years one Jane daughter of Thom. Kynaston of Estwick in Shropshire, by whom he had issue George Yong, afterwards a Knight, living in York 1612. for whose sake, the father, being covetous of wealth, pulled down a goodly hall belonging to him as Archbishop, for the greediness of the lead (as ’tis said) that covered it. Concerning which matter there is a large story extant, related by an (*)(*) Sir Jo. Harrington in his Brief view of the state of the Ch. of Engl. &c. p. 171. author who was no friend to married Bishops.