Thomas Bourchier

Also known as: Thomas Bourchier bishop of Elie / Thomas Bourchier, bishop of Elie / Thomas Burstlier / Thomas archbishop of Canturburie / sir Thomas Bourchier · Family: Church · Role: bishop · First appears: Henry VI 33

In 1437, Pope Eugene IV revoked his earlier bulls issued to Thomas Bourchier. Around 1451, while the armies of Henry VI and Richard Plantagenet faced one another, Henry VI sent Thomas Bourchier, then bishop of Ely, with other envoys to learn the duke’s demands and seek a concord. In 1453–1454, Pope Nicholas V translated him from Ely to Canterbury; after John Kemp died around 1456, Thomas Bourchier became the sixty-third archbishop of Canterbury. He was later advanced to cardinal by Pope Paul II in 1465.

Around 1483, the council sent Thomas Bourchier to Elizabeth Woodville to request the release of Richard of Shrewsbury from sanctuary, so that he could be brought freely before Edward V. Around 1485, Richard III ordered Robert Brackenbury to bring Thomas Bourchier and Walter Hungerford with him to the royal army. At Stonie Stratford, Thomas Bourchier and Walter Hungerford left Robert Brackenbury and submitted to Henry VII, joining those who “yéelded and submitted themselues to his pleasure.”