The New International Encyclopædia/Feckenham, John de

FECK′ENHAM, John de (c.1518-85). The last abbot of Westminster, and the last mitred abbot who sat in Queen Elizabeth's Parliament. He was born in Feckenham Forest, Worcestershire, about 1518, and his family name was Howman. He became a monk at Evesham, and there took the name by which he is now known. He studied at Oxford. After holding other positions, in 1543 he became chaplain to Bonner, Bishop of London, and when the latter was deprived of his see Feckenham was sent to the Tower (1549). Although for much of the time a prisoner, he was active in political matters. Queen Mary released him and made him her chaplain (1553). In 1556 Queen Mary refounded the Benedictine Monastery of Saint Peter, Westminster, London, and made him mitred abbot. Elizabeth was personally friendly to him, but would do nothing for him, as he would not conform to the new (Protestant) faith. All his influence was thrown against the Reformation and its doctrines. In 1559 he was removed, and sent to the Tower in 1560, and, though released on bail in 1574, was practically a prisoner till his death, at Wisbech, near Elyin, 1585.