James Sharp (1613-1679) was a Presbyterian minister, and later Archbishop of St Andrews (1661-1679). Events January - Galileo observes Neptune, but mistakes it for a star and so is not credited with its discovery. ... Events January 24 - King Charles II of England disbands Parliament August 7 - The brigantine Le Griffon, which was commissioned by René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, is towed to the southern end of the Niagara River, to become the first ship to sail the upper Great Lakes. ... St Andrews cathedral ruins. ... Events January 6 - The fifth monarchy men unsuccessfully attempt to seize control of London. ... Events January 24 - King Charles II of England disbands Parliament August 7 - The brigantine Le Griffon, which was commissioned by René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, is towed to the southern end of the Niagara River, to become the first ship to sail the upper Great Lakes. ...

Sharp was from conservative, Royalist Banffshire in the northwest of Scotland, a graduate of the University of Aberdeen and a regent of St. Andrews University. Banffshire (Siorrachd Bhanbh in Gaelic) is a small traditional county in the north of Scotland. ... The University of Aberdeen is one of the ancient universities of Scotland. ...

In the English Civil War, following the execution of the King, Sharp, a skilled negotiator, became prominent as a leader of the moderate wing of the Scottish church called the "Resolutioners". Among the Covenanters, a group of Scottish Presbyterians who bound themselves by oath to protect and defend their Scottish Presbyterianism from the introduction of bishops and other Episcopalian features. This group split into two factions, the Resolutioners and Protesters, differing over how much power should be given to the king in the ordering of church affairs. The term English Civil War (or Wars) refers to the series of armed conflicts and political machinations which took place between English Parliamentarians and Royalists from 1642 until 1651. ... Charles I (19 November 1600 – 30 January 1649) was King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. ... The Covenanters are a radical Presbyterian movement that played an important part in the history of Scotland, and to a lesser extent in that of England and Ireland, during the 17th century. ... Presbyterianism is part of the Reformed churches family of denominations of Christian Protestantism based on the teachings of John Calvin which traces its institutional roots to the Scottish Reformation, especially as led by John Knox. ... The word Episcopal is derived from the Greek επισκοπος epískopos, which literally means overseer; the word however is used in religious terms to mean bishop. ...

He was captured (1651) by Oliver Cromwell's Parliamentarian forces and imprisoned until 1652. The author of A true representation of the rise, progresse and state of the present divisions of the Church of Scotland, (1657) was sent to London to represent the interests of the Resolutioners. In London, Sharp became involved with George Monck in Monck's schemes for the restoration of the monarchy, which Sharp conditionally supported. About the same time he privately shifted his loyalties to the restoration also of episcopacy in Scotland, thus betraying his former Scottish Presbyterian associates. Unfinished portrait miniature of Oliver Cromwell by Samuel Cooper, 1657. ... George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle by Sir Peter Lely, painted 1665–1666. ...

A few months after the restoration of Charles II Sharp was allowed to return to St Andrews and the following year (1661), he was appointed Archbishop of St Andrews and primate of Scotland. In the face of Presbyterian resistance, he embarked on a severe policy repressing the principles of the Covenanters he had formerly represented, enforcing policies, such as the Act of Supremacy (1669) which gave the King complete authority in the Church. King Charles II The English Restoration or simply Restoration was an episode in the history of Great Britain beginning in 1660 when the monarchy was restored under King Charles II after the English Civil War. ... St Andrews cathedral ruins. ... The Covenanters are a radical Presbyterian movement that played an important part in the history of Scotland, and to a lesser extent in that of England and Ireland, during the 17th century. ... First Act of Supremacy 1534 The Act of Supremacy 1534 (26 Hen. ...

In 1668 James Mitchell attempted to assassinate the archbishop; when he was finally caught six years later, confessed and was executed in 1678, Mitchell became a Presbyterian folk hero and Sharp was even less popular. He was assassinated by a group of Covenanters on Magus Moor, outside St. Andrews, who had in fact been waiting to kill someone else.

In popular Scottish history Sharp is pictured as a turncoat in league with the Devil.

Another 17th century "Archbishop Sharp" was John Sharp (1643-1714), Archbishop of York. John Sharp (February 16, 1643 - February 2, 1714), English divine, archbishop of York, was born at Bradford, and was educated at Christs College, Cambridge. ...

External links

• Archbishop James Sharp Letterbook. The letterbook reveals him unwillingly retained in London, negotiating between the Covenanters and General Monck
• An account of the assassination of the "Covenanter turned scented Cavalier" gives the flavor of popular history