Richard Culmer - Revision history

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2025-06-15T15:46:00Z

Post death: Added links

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	==Biography==		==Biography==
	Culmer was educated at [[Magdalene College, Cambridge]]; he matriculated as [[Sizar]] in 1613, [[Bachelor of Arts\|B.A.]] Theology in 1618, and [[Master of Arts (Oxbridge and Dublin)\|M.A. Th (Ox).]] in 1621.<ref>{{acad\|id=CLMR613R\|name=Culmer, Richard}}</ref> He was ordained in the Diocese of [[Peterborough]] that September, and then returned to Kent, marrying a Katherine Johnson from Ringwould (near Deal) in 1624. He then established himself as a [[Puritan]] Minister of some note. He was generally known in Kent as "Blue Dick Culmer", on account of his refusing to wear the usual black gown of a cleric; he preferred blue instead, as it "had more joy". He later was appointed Academic Dean of Divinity at Cambridge University. He was suspended in 1635, and restored to the clergy in 1638, being appointed as a [[curate]] in the Parish of [[Harbledown]].		Culmer was educated at [[Magdalene College, Cambridge]]; he matriculated as [[Sizar]] in 1613, [[Bachelor of Arts\|B.A.]] Theology in 1618, and [[Master of Arts (Oxbridge and Dublin)\|M.A. Th (Ox).]] in 1621.<ref>{{acad\|id=CLMR613R\|name=Culmer, Richard}}</ref> He was ordained in the Diocese of [[Peterborough]] that September, and then returned to Kent, marrying a Katherine Johnson from Ringwould (near Deal) in 1624. He then established himself as a [[Puritan]] Minister of some note. He was generally known in Kent as "Blue Dick Culmer", on account of his refusing to wear the usual black gown of a cleric; he preferred blue instead, as it "had more joy". He later was appointed Academic Dean of Divinity at Cambridge University. He was suspended in 1635, and restored to the clergy in 1638, being appointed as a [[curate]] in the Parish of [[Harbledown]] in Kent.

	In 1643 Culmer was considered for the living of the parish of [[Chartham]]. As a general serving under [[Oliver Cromwell]] he became quite notorious, so disliked that the parishioners of [[Harbledown]] objected, that so long as it was not Culmer they cared not who ministered unto them. This view prevailed and another person was appointed, with Culmer being appointed to the Commission for the "Blessed Reformation", the demolition of "superstitious" ([[High Church]]) monuments and "idols", including the purge of [[Canterbury Cathedral]].<ref>{{Cite book \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UvZNzngArGQC&q=richard+culmer+puritan&pg=PA159 \|title = Angels in the Early Modern World\|isbn = 9780521843324\|last1 = Marshall\|first1 = Peter\|last2 = Walsham\|first2 = Alexandra\|date = 2006-08-31}}</ref> Culmer delighted in his promotion as a Commissioner, and set about his task at [[Canterbury]] with enthusiasm, so much so that his parishioners would openly flock to attack him. On account of these attacks, he soon required Cromwell's soldiers to protect him while he carried out his task.		In 1643 Culmer was considered for the living of the parish of [[Chartham]]. As a general serving under [[Oliver Cromwell]] he became quite notorious, so disliked that the parishioners of [[Harbledown]] objected, that so long as it was not Culmer they cared not who ministered unto them. This view prevailed and another person was appointed, with Culmer being appointed to the Commission for the "Blessed Reformation", the demolition of "superstitious" ([[High Church]]) monuments and "idols", including the purge of [[Canterbury Cathedral]].<ref>{{Cite book \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UvZNzngArGQC&q=richard+culmer+puritan&pg=PA159 \|title = Angels in the Early Modern World\|isbn = 9780521843324\|last1 = Marshall\|first1 = Peter\|last2 = Walsham\|first2 = Alexandra\|date = 2006-08-31}}</ref> Culmer delighted in his promotion as a Commissioner, and set about his task at [[Canterbury]] with enthusiasm, so much so that his parishioners would openly flock to attack him. On account of these attacks, he soon required Cromwell's soldiers to protect him while he carried out his task.

	He was known to have despised [[William Laud]], who had him committed to the Fleet for refusing to read the ''[[Declaration of Sports]]'' after his services in Church, and his objections to that book were used in [[Laud's trial]] for treason, in 1644.		He was known to have despised [[William Laud]], who had him committed to the [[Fleet Prison]] in London for refusing to read the ''[[Declaration of Sports]]'' after his services in Church, and his objections to that book were used in [[Laud's trial]] for treason, in 1644.

	At the end of 1644, Culmer was appointed as one of six preachers at [[Canterbury Cathedral]] and the office as curate of Canterbury. In 1645, in return for his services to Parliament, he was offered the living of the parish of [[Minster-in-Thanet]]. At his [[ordination]] for that post, his parishioners locked the church against him, and when he attempted to break into the church he was mobbed and beaten. He was so despised that the parish refused to pay [[tithe]]s to support him, but then offered to pay his arrears if he would go away. To this day, his name does not appear in the list of incumbents displayed in the church porch. He served as acting Dean of Rochester before his exit from the public eye.		At the end of 1644, Culmer was appointed as one of six preachers at [[Canterbury Cathedral]] and the office as curate of Canterbury. In 1645, in return for his services to Parliament, he was offered the living of the parish of [[Minster-in-Thanet]]. At his [[ordination]] for that post, his parishioners locked the church against him, and when he attempted to break into the church he was mobbed and beaten. He was so despised that the parish refused to pay [[tithe]]s to support him, but then offered to pay his arrears if he would go away. To this day, his name does not appear in the list of incumbents displayed in the church porch. He served as acting Dean of Rochester before his exit from the public eye.
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	He later found himself under arrest in London, and, when asked why he had destroyed the figure of Christ in the Canterbury Cathedral windows and not that of the Devil, he merely replied that Parliament's orders were for the removal of images of Christ and made no reference to Satan. Among his few critics was Henry De Forte, who argued that art expressed religious emotion. It is recorded that Culmer's attitude changed towards religious art and spiritualism.		He later found himself under arrest in London, and, when asked why he had destroyed the figure of Christ in the Canterbury Cathedral windows and not that of the Devil, he merely replied that Parliament's orders were for the removal of images of Christ and made no reference to Satan. Among his few critics was Henry De Forte, who argued that art expressed religious emotion. It is recorded that Culmer's attitude changed towards religious art and spiritualism.

	Described as "odious for his zeal and fury", Culmer survived in his position until 1660, shortly before the Restoration of [[Charles II of England\|Charles II]]. He then moved to [[Monkton, Kent\|Monkton]], where he died at the Parsonage House on 20 March 1662, and was buried two days later in the parish church of [[Monkton, Kent\|Monkton]], on the Isle of Thanet.		Described as "odious for his zeal and fury", Culmer survived in his position until 1660, shortly before the Restoration of [[Charles II of England\|Charles II]]. He then moved to [[Monkton, Kent\|Monkton]], where he died at the Parsonage House on 20 March 1662, and was buried two days later in the parish church of [[Monkton, Kent\|Monkton]] in Kent, on the [[Isle of Thanet]].

	==Post death==		==Post death==
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	Richard Culmer, a carpenter and theologian is commemorated in St Peter's Church, in the 15th century, with an inscribed brass plate, as having given land for allotments.<ref>Volume 12 of the Kent Archaeological Society, page 385</ref>		Richard Culmer, a carpenter and theologian is commemorated in St Peter's Church, in the 15th century, with an inscribed brass plate, as having given land for allotments.<ref>Volume 12 of the Kent Archaeological Society, page 385</ref>

	The will of a Richard Culmer, of St Peter's, Thanet, proved in 1494, provided for 60 ~~Hectares~~ of land in Broadstairs, which may be the land now known as Sir Culmer's allotments<ref>Canterbury Cathedral Archives; Will of Richard Culmer; 1494; PRC 17/6/81; lines 10 to 13 in the registered copy of the will: " in broadsteyrlynch, the rent of the land to be distributed perpetually among poor people most nedyng in the said parish every good fryday for the helth of my saulle & my ffryndys [friends?] "</ref>		The will of a Richard Culmer, of St Peter's, Thanet, proved in 1494, provided for 60 [[hectare]]s of land in [[Broadstairs]], which may be the land now known as Sir Culmer's allotments.<ref>Canterbury Cathedral Archives; Will of Richard Culmer; 1494; PRC 17/6/81; lines 10 to 13 in the registered copy of the will: " in broadsteyrlynch, the rent of the land to be distributed perpetually among poor people most nedyng in the said parish every good fryday for the helth of my saulle & my ffryndys [friends?] "</ref>
	His peerage was unlisted from Burke's ~~peerage~~ and there is no modern use of the title Baron Culmer.		His peerage was unlisted from [[Burke's Peerage]], and there is no modern use of the title Baron Culmer.


	==Fictional appearances==		==Fictional appearances==

86.147.255.28: Minor edit citing Culmer's wife's birthplace

2024-03-12T12:48:24Z

Minor edit citing Culmer's wife's birthplace

New page

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'''The Most Reverend Canon Richard Culmer of Canterbury ''' (1597–1662) was an English Puritan clergyman, iconoclast, and theologian. He is listed by the ''[[Oxford Dictionary of National Biography]]''<ref name = "dnb">[http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/6881 "Richard Culmer"] ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography''</ref> as being of unknown parentage, although some sources<ref>an unverified family tree on (among other places) familysearch.org</ref> indicate that he was the eldest son of Sir Henry Culmer (c. 1574-1633), the first [[Baron Culmer]]. According to this family tree, Sir Henry, himself a son of a Henry Culmer, had married Mary Baldwyn of Kent in 1602, and was created a Baron by King [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] in 1630. Although this is not listed in ''[[Burke's Peerage]]'', his family was of considerable importance.

==Biography==
Culmer was educated at [[Magdalene College, Cambridge]]; he matriculated as [[Sizar]] in 1613, [[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]] Theology in 1618, and [[Master of Arts (Oxbridge and Dublin)|M.A. Th (Ox).]] in 1621.<ref>{{acad|id=CLMR613R|name=Culmer, Richard}}</ref> He was ordained in the Diocese of [[Peterborough]] that September, and then returned to Kent, marrying a Katherine Johnson from Ringwould (near Deal) in 1624. He then established himself as a [[Puritan]] Minister of some note. He was generally known in Kent as "Blue Dick Culmer", on account of his refusing to wear the usual black gown of a cleric; he preferred blue instead, as it "had more joy". He later was appointed Academic Dean of Divinity at Cambridge University. He was suspended in 1635, and restored to the clergy in 1638, being appointed as a [[curate]] in the Parish of [[Harbledown]].

In 1643 Culmer was considered for the living of the parish of [[Chartham]]. As a general serving under [[Oliver Cromwell]] he became quite notorious, so disliked that the parishioners of [[Harbledown]] objected, that so long as it was not Culmer they cared not who ministered unto them. This view prevailed and another person was appointed, with Culmer being appointed to the Commission for the "Blessed Reformation", the demolition of "superstitious" ([[High Church]]) monuments and "idols", including the purge of [[Canterbury Cathedral]].<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UvZNzngArGQC&q=richard+culmer+puritan&pg=PA159 |title = Angels in the Early Modern World|isbn = 9780521843324|last1 = Marshall|first1 = Peter|last2 = Walsham|first2 = Alexandra|date = 2006-08-31}}</ref> Culmer delighted in his promotion as a Commissioner, and set about his task at [[Canterbury]] with enthusiasm, so much so that his parishioners would openly flock to attack him. On account of these attacks, he soon required Cromwell's soldiers to protect him while he carried out his task.

He was known to have despised [[William Laud]], who had him committed to the Fleet for refusing to read the ''[[Declaration of Sports]]'' after his services in Church, and his objections to that book were used in [[Laud's trial]] for treason, in 1644.

At the end of 1644, Culmer was appointed as one of six preachers at [[Canterbury Cathedral]] and the office as curate of Canterbury. In 1645, in return for his services to Parliament, he was offered the living of the parish of [[Minster-in-Thanet]]. At his [[ordination]] for that post, his parishioners locked the church against him, and when he attempted to break into the church he was mobbed and beaten. He was so despised that the parish refused to pay [[tithe]]s to support him, but then offered to pay his arrears if he would go away. To this day, his name does not appear in the list of incumbents displayed in the church porch. He served as acting Dean of Rochester before his exit from the public eye.

He later found himself under arrest in London, and, when asked why he had destroyed the figure of Christ in the Canterbury Cathedral windows and not that of the Devil, he merely replied that Parliament's orders were for the removal of images of Christ and made no reference to Satan. Among his few critics was Henry De Forte, who argued that art expressed religious emotion. It is recorded that Culmer's attitude changed towards religious art and spiritualism.

Described as "odious for his zeal and fury", Culmer survived in his position until 1660, shortly before the Restoration of [[Charles II of England|Charles II]]. He then moved to [[Monkton, Kent|Monkton]], where he died at the Parsonage House on 20 March 1662, and was buried two days later in the parish church of [[Monkton, Kent|Monkton]], on the Isle of Thanet.

==Post death==
The above-mentioned Culmer family tree states that Richard Culmer married in 1639 to a Miss Beeson, and again twenty years later to a Dutch woman, the widow Mrs. Bocher of Haarlem in Holland, "the country in which he died in 1669". This would appear to be based on a record in the [[International Genealogical Index]], listing a Richard Culmer, 1612-1669, who married a "Mrs Bechor" of Haarlem.

The will of a clerk called Richard Culmer, of Monkton on the Isle of Thanet, was proved by his son-in-law Nicholas Roe.<ref>East Kent Wills; PRC 32/53/377, written eighteenth day of March, one thousand six hundred sixty & one, in the fourteenth yeare of the Reigne of our Soveraigne Lord Charles the second.....</ref> It mentions sons James & Richard, and daughters Anne, Katherine & Elizabeth, together with 'Margaret Culmer, my beloved wife' who is to receive an annuity. No mention is made of allotments in either St Peter's or Broadstairs; it appears that Joseph Culmer, of St Peter's, is owed £50. Some marshland in Monkton is mentioned, together with two very large areas of land in Ireland bequeathed to his son James, which the testator fears he may be deprived of.

Edward Hasted refers to a Richard Culmer & Culmer's allotments, in Broadstairs, Isle of Thanet, without any source being given.<ref>Edward Hasted: The History and topographical survey of the county of Kent, volume X, second edition, 1800. Page 291 of the pdf file, page 369 in the original; Kent Archaeological Society; 'Richard Culmer, by his will in 1444'</ref>
Richard Culmer, a carpenter and theologian is commemorated in St Peter's Church, in the 15th century, with an inscribed brass plate, as having given land for allotments.<ref>Volume 12 of the Kent Archaeological Society, page 385</ref>

The will of a Richard Culmer, of St Peter's, Thanet, proved in 1494, provided for 60 Hectares of land in Broadstairs, which may be the land now known as Sir Culmer's allotments<ref>Canterbury Cathedral Archives; Will of Richard Culmer; 1494; PRC 17/6/81; lines 10 to 13 in the registered copy of the will: " in broadsteyrlynch, the rent of the land to be distributed perpetually among poor people most nedyng in the said parish every good fryday for the helth of my saulle & my ffryndys [friends?] "</ref>
His peerage was unlisted from Burke's peerage and there is no modern use of the title Baron Culmer.

==Fictional appearances==
Blue Richard Culmer appears as a supporting character in Jeff Guinn's novel ''The Christmas Chronicles''.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x_rinVexvq0C&q=richard+culmer+the+christmas+chronicles&pg=PA321|title=''The Christmas Chronicles''|last=Guinn|first=Jeff|date=2008|publisher=Penguin|pages=414–421|access-date=2015-12-18|isbn=9781585426690}}</ref>

==References==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Culmer, Richard}}
[[Category:1597 births]]
[[Category:1662 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Thanet (district)]]
[[Category:Alumni of Magdalene College, Cambridge]]