Thomas Goldwell (d. 1585), English ecclesiastic, began his career as vicar of Cheriton in 1531, after graduating MA at All Souls College, Oxford.
He became chaplain to Cardinal Pole and lived with him at Rome, was attainted in 1539, but returned to England on Mary's accession, and in 1555 became bishop of St Asaph, a diocese which he did much to win back to the old faith.
On the death of Mary, Goldwell escaped from England and in 1561 became superior of the Theatines at Naples. He was the only English bishop at the council of Trent, and in 1562 was again attainted. In the following year he was appointed vicar-general to Carlo Borromeo, archbishop of Milan.
He died in Rome in 1585, the last of the English bishops who had refused to accept the Reformation.
This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica.
He was a member of a Kentish family of ancient lineage, long seated at Goldwell; and was educated at All Souls College, Oxford, where he graduated M. in 1531, and B. in 1534.
On the death of Paul III, Pole, now a cardinal, asked and obtained permission for Goldwell to accompany him to Rome, and thus he was present at the long conclave of 1549-50 in the capacity of Pole's personal attendant.
On the death of the Bishop of Lincoln, in 1584, Goldwell became the sole survivor of the ancient English hierarchy.
In 1553, while Edward VI was still reigning an Act of General Pardon was passed, from which Goldwell had the signal honour of being specially excepted by name, along with Pole and some others.
In 1563 Goldwell was vicar-general to the Archbishop of Milan, St. Charles Borromeo.
In 1580, in spite of his advanced age, he set out for England at the head of the mission which included Campion and Parsons, but he was taken ill at Reims and obliged to return to Rome.
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