Henry Alvey

Henry Alvey, B. D.—This zealous puritan was a learned divine, and fellow of St. John's college, Cambridge, where he most probably received his education. He was tutor to the celebrated Mr. Thomas Gatakcr, junior, and other excellent divines. During the contention about the visitation of the university, he subscribed to the following protestation, dated February 20, 1587, and found in the_ Bishop of Ely's rcgister-ollicc:—" I, Henry Alvey, do protest, with dutiful obedience, that, in respect to the oath which I have taken to the college, I dare not acknowledge the jurisdiction of any but of our appointed visitors: and that by my personal appearing and answering, I do not renounce that right or benefit that I may have by them; but that it may be lawful, whensoever just occasion shall be found, to appeal unto them. Which protestation reserved unto

• Wood's Athena; Oxon. vol. i. p. 303.

t Fuller's Abel Red. p. 407, 408.

t Wood's Atbenas Oxon. vol. i. p. 744.

me in all and every point, I am most ready and willing to answer."*—The year following, upon the severe proceedings against Mr. Francis Johnson, another zealous puritan, he united with upwards of sixty others, all learned men and fellows of the university, in presenting a supplication to Chancellor Burleigh, in behalf of this persecuted servant of Christ.t

Mr. Alvey united with his brethren in their endeavours to promote a more pure ecclesiastical discipline; and when they were apprehended and carried before their spiritual judges, he was one of those who took the oath ex officio, and discovered the associations. In the year 1595, when Barret was called to an account for his dangerous sentiments, he was one of the learned divines of St. John's college, who openly declared their disapprobation of his opinions, and their dissatisfaction with his pretended recantation.\ Towards the close of this year, complaints were brought against him and several others of the fellows, concerning their nonconformity. These complaints, or rather slanderous and false accusations, were laid before Archbishop Whitgift; against which, he justified his conduct, and vindicated his character, at considerable lengthy Though it does not appear what further troubles he endured, he probably found it necessary to leave the university; for he was soon after chosen provost of Trinity college, Dublin; in which office he succeeded the celebrated Mr. Walter Travers.fl

Mr. Alvey is called a worthy benefactor to St. John's college, Cambridge. By his last will and testament, he gave, out of a house in Jesus-lane, four nobles, to be annually paid to a Nottinghamshire scholar, living under a fellow; and in default of such scholar, the four nobles to be given to the college one year, and to the tenant another, alternately. He also made some other bequests of a similar kind, for the encouragement of learning and the advantage of learned men in the university.t

• Baker'* MS. Collec. Voi. ili. p. 92. + See Art. Francis Johnson.

t Baker's MS. Collec. vol. ii. p. 87, 28.

S Ibid. vol. zii. p. 210—213.

| MS. Chronology, vol. iil. A. D. 1655. (72.)

I Baker's MS. Collec. Voi. xiil. This vol. is not paged.