Deaths on April 28

Nicholas West, English bishop and diplomat (b. 1461)

Nicholas West (1461—28 April 1533) stands as a notable figure in early Tudor England, a man whose life intertwined the sacred duties of a bishop with the intricate negotiations of a seasoned diplomatist. Born in the quiet Surrey village of Putney, his early promise was recognized and nurtured through an exceptional education, a trajectory that would eventually place him at the heart of royal affairs.

Early Life, Education, and Ecclesiastical Ascent

West’s academic journey began at the prestigious Eton College, followed by King's College, Cambridge, where his intellectual capabilities were evident as he became a fellow in 1486. His thirst for knowledge also led him to periods of study at two other eminent European centers of learning: the University of Oxford in England and the venerable University of Bologna in Italy, broadening his intellectual horizons and likely exposing him to diverse legal and theological traditions.

His path quickly led him to ordination, marking the beginning of his ecclesiastical career. Soon after, he was appointed rector of Egglescliffe in Durham, an early testament to his rising prominence within the Church. This initial appointment was swiftly followed by the acquisition of two additional 'livings' – benefices that provided income and responsibilities – and, significantly, he was chosen to serve as a chaplain to King Henry VII, an esteemed position that would lay the groundwork for his future in royal service.

Serving the Crown: Dean of Windsor and Bishop of Ely

With the accession of Henry VIII in 1509, West's career continued its upward trajectory. The new monarch appointed him Dean of St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, a role that not only came with considerable ecclesiastical prestige but also placed him in a position to oversee significant architectural endeavors. During his tenure as Dean, the iconic fan vaulting of St George's Chapel was brought to completion, a breathtaking example of late Gothic architecture that continues to awe visitors today. Prior to this, or perhaps concurrently, West also held the title of Archdeacon of Derby, highlighting his broad engagement within the Church's administrative structure.

The pinnacle of his ecclesiastical career arrived in 1515 when he was elected Bishop of Ely, a powerful and wealthy see in Cambridgeshire. This elevation solidified his status as one of the most influential churchmen of his era.

A Master Diplomatist: Navigating European Politics

Nicholas West's long and remarkably successful career as a diplomatist actually predates his most prominent church appointments, commencing in 1502. This vital aspect of his service was largely facilitated by his strong friendship with Richard Foxe, the astute Bishop of Durham, a key figure in Henry VII’s government and a skilled statesman himself.

Diplomatic Endeavors under Henry VII

West's early missions under King Henry VII showcased his growing diplomatic acumen. He traveled to the Continent, representing English interests before powerful European rulers. He visited Maximilian I, the German King and Holy Roman Emperor, and George, Duke of Saxony, engaging in the complex web of dynastic and political alliances that characterized the era. A significant achievement came in 1506 when he successfully negotiated an important commercial treaty with Flanders, a crucial trading partner for England. His diplomatic efforts also extended to the delicate realm of royal marriages, where he attempted to arrange a union between the King's daughter, Mary, and the future Emperor Charles V, as well as a more ambitious match between King Henry VII himself and Charles's sister, Margaret of Austria, aiming to forge powerful European alliances.

Key Diplomatic Roles under Henry VIII

Under Henry VIII, West’s diplomatic services became even more extensive, with the king dispatching him on numerous occasions to Scotland and France, England's perennial rivals and occasional allies. The years 1513 and 1514 saw him primarily occupied with frequent journeys to and from Scotland, addressing the often-strained relations between the two kingdoms. His focus then shifted to France, where he visited King Louis XII in the autumn of 1514. Following Louis's death, West returned to France in 1515 to engage with the new, ambitious monarch, Francis I.

That same year, demonstrating his capacity for strategic negotiation, he was instrumental in arranging a defensive treaty between England and France. His diplomatic prowess continued to be indispensable, and he was principally responsible for negotiating and concluding further significant treaties between the two countries in 1518 and 1525, among other agreements. So trusted was he in the inner circles of power that Cardinal Wolsey, Henry VIII's chief minister, frequently employed West on matters of a personal as well as political nature. West's diplomatic high point arguably included his involvement in the grand, almost theatrical negotiations at the Field of the Cloth of Gold in 1520, an opulent meeting between Henry VIII and Francis I designed to foster Anglo-French amity.

Bishop of Ely: Splendor, Patronage, and Legacy

As Bishop of Ely from 1515 until his death in 1533, Nicholas West lived a life of extraordinary affluence and influence. It was said that for the remaining 19 years of his life, he "lived in greater splendour than any other prelate of his time, having more than a hundred servants," a testament to his wealth and high standing in society. This grandeur was not solely for personal comfort but also manifested in his patronage of the Church.

His most magnificent ecclesiastical legacy is undoubtedly the Chantry Chapel he commissioned at the south-east side of the eastern arm of Ely Cathedral. This exquisite chapel was meticulously panelled with niches originally intended to house statues, creating a visually rich and devotional space. Its ceiling featured intricate fan tracery, a delicate and complex form of vaulting that showcased the finest craftsmanship of the period. Within this chapel, on its south side, lies West's own tomb. Tragically, just a few years after its completion and his death, the advent of the English Reformation brought widespread iconoclasm, resulting in the destruction or disfigurement of the statues that once adorned the chapel's niches.

In a fascinating historical postscript, West's chapel gained another layer of significance in 1771 when it became the final resting place for the bones of seven Saxon 'benefactors of the church.' These venerated remains had a long and winding journey through Ely's history, having originally been translated from the old Saxon Abbey into the Norman building. They were then placed within a wall of the choir when it stood in the Octagon area of the cathedral. However, when the choir stalls were subsequently moved, their enclosing wall was demolished, revealing the bones of Wulfstan (who died in 1023), Osmund of Sweden, Athelstan of Elmham, Ælfwine of Elmham, Ælfgar of Elmham, Eadnoth of Dorchester, and Brythnoth, the very first Abbot of Ely. These ancient relics were then reverently relocated into Bishop West's chapel, adding a profound sense of historical continuity to the space. Also sharing this sacred space, against the east wall, is the tomb memorial to Bishop Sparke, who passed away in 1836, further highlighting the chapel's enduring role as a place of commemoration.

Beyond Ely, Bishop West also demonstrated his local piety by building a beautiful chapel in St. Mary's Church in Putney, the very place of his birth, a personal touch linking his grand career back to his humble origins.

Finally, his commitment to education extended to his involvement in completing the legal statutes for Jesus College, Cambridge. This institution had been founded in 1496 by John Alcock, one of West's predecessors as Bishop of Ely, showcasing a continuity of patronage and scholarly support within the episcopate.

FAQs About Nicholas West

Who was Nicholas West?

Nicholas West (1461–1533) was a prominent English bishop and diplomatist during the reigns of Henry VII and Henry VIII, known for his extensive service to the Crown and his significant contributions to the Church.

Where was he educated?

He received a comprehensive education at Eton College, King's College, Cambridge (where he became a fellow), and also undertook periods of study at Oxford University and the University of Bologna in Italy.

What were his key ecclesiastical appointments?

West served as Rector of Egglescliffe, Durham; chaplain to Henry VII; Dean of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle; Archdeacon of Derby; and most notably, Bishop of Ely from 1515 until his death.

What were his major diplomatic achievements?

His diplomatic career included negotiating a crucial commercial treaty with Flanders in 1506, arranging royal marriage proposals, and playing a principal role in numerous treaties between England and France (including those in 1515, 1518, and 1525). He was also involved in the famous Field of the Cloth of Gold in 1520.

What is his lasting architectural legacy at Ely Cathedral?

He built a magnificent Chantry Chapel on the south-east side of the eastern arm of Ely Cathedral, featuring elaborate fan tracery and niches, which also contains his tomb. This chapel later became the resting place for seven Saxon 'benefactors' of the church.

How did the Reformation affect his chapel at Ely?

Unfortunately, the statues that once adorned the niches of Bishop West's Chantry Chapel were destroyed or disfigured during the iconoclastic movements of the English Reformation, just a few years after his passing.

What other notable chapels did he build?

Beyond Ely, he also commissioned a beautiful chapel within St. Mary's Church in Putney, his birthplace.