Clergy marrying

[Edward Scott]

I am trying to work out if Richard Bole, who first seems to appear with a living in Suffolk in 1429 and in 1463/4 was made an Archdeacon of Ely which he held until his death in 1477, ever married or was allowed to be married.

I believe that this may be same Richard Bole who with his wife Margaret (& others) had daily prayers said to them in a perpetual chantry at Ampton which had been erected by John Coket in about 1479.

I have not been able to find anything that allowed or forbade priests to marry in the mid C15^th.

Any thoughts / ideas/ etc would be gratefully received.

On an aside I know he was buried in Wilburton but have not been able to track down a will or probate. This may help as it could mention wife, children, etc

thanks

Edward

[Little Nell]

At that date, the church was the Roman Catholic church and priests of that church are not allowed to marry!  I know there were some popes who flouted the celibacy rules, but marriage was definitely out.

Nell

[RJ_Paton]

As the Reformation in England didn't start until the 16th Century the second Lateran Council directive of 1139 would still have been in force regarding celibacy of the priesthood.

[Edward Scott]

Thanks, that was my initial thought but then I read an article where the clergy paid a fine if they did get married.

Sadly I think this kills this man off as the 'missing link"

Edward

[RJ_Paton]

According to this entry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clerical_marriage The marriage of clergymen did occur but was well before the 1139 date (and long before your man). In 530 Justinian 1 apparently declared all marriages of the clergy to be null and void.