Beckington (or Bekyngton, De Bekenton) Thomas, Lld
Beckington (Or Bekyngton, De Bekenton) Thomas, LL.D., an English prelate, was born in the parish of Beckington, ill Somersetshire, towards the close of the 14th century. He was educated at New College, Oxford, of which he became a fellow. He was presented to the rectory of St. Leonard's, near Hastings, in Sussex, and to the vicarage of Sutton Courtney, in Berkshire. He was also prebendary of Bedwin, York, and Lichfield, archdeacon of Buckingham, and master of St. Catherine's Hospital, near the Tower, in London. About 1429 he was dean of the Court of Arches, and a synoid being then held in St. Paul's, London, which continued about six months, Beckington was one of three appointed to draw up a form of. law, by which to proceed against the Wycliffites. He was held in high favor by Henry VI, and was by him made secretary of state, keeper of the privy seal, and, in 1443, bishop of Bath and Wells. He died at Wells, Jan. 14, 1465. He wrote some works which have no present value. See Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v.; Chalmers, Biog. Dict. s.v.
