Morgan Godwin

Morgan Godwin (1602/1603-1645) was an English priest in the first half of the 17th century.^[1] He was born in 1602 or 1603.^[2]

Early life and education

Godwin was educated at Christ Church, Oxford.^[3] Both his father Francis Godwin (1562-1633) and his grandfather Thomas Godwin were Church of England bishops, Thomas of Bath and Wells and Francis of Llandaff and then Hereford.^[4][5] Morgan Godwin's mother was the daughter of Dr. John Wolton, bishop of Exeter.^[5]

Career

Morgan Godwin held livings at Bicknor and Lydney. He was Archdeacon of Shropshire from 1631 until his death in 1645.^[6] He was also a prebendary at Hereford Cathedral. Godwin was a committed Royalist who had once been Charles I’s personal priest.^[4]

Godwin translated his father's book Rerum Anglicarum Henrico VIII, Edwardo VI, et Maria regnantibus annales into English during his father's lifetime.^[7]

Legacy

The Morgan Godwin baptised at Bicknor on 2 December 1640, who became a priest in Virginia, and argued for the conversion of African slaves and native Americans to Christianity, was his son.^{[8][9][4][10]}