Byrde (or Birde), John, Dd

Byrde (Or Birde), JOHN, D.D.

an English prelate,. was a native of Coventry, and was consecrated bishop of Penrith, Scotland, June 28,1537. He was elected to the see of Bangor, July 24, 1539. He became the first bishop of Chester by the charter of erection, and made his profession of obedience to the archbishop of York,. April 13, 1542. He obtained, at the same time, the archdiaconates of Chester and Richmond. He was deprived of all these dignities in the first year of the reign of queen Mary (1554), on account of his being married. He died in 1556. He published Lectures on the Epistles of St. Paul; and Learned Homilies. See Le Neve, Fasti; Allibone, Diet, of Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v.