



JAMES II Document confirming John Hough as prebend to the cathedral church of Worcester, bearing the Great Seal of James II, Westminster, 4 March 1687/8
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JAMES II
Footnotes
Bearing a good impression of James II's Great Seal (which was supposedly thrown into the Thames on his flight in 1688), this document dates from the most controversial period of the life of John Hough (1651-1743), who was given the prebendary of Worcester in 1686 and became Bishop in 1717. He is most remembered for the political storm surrounding his election to the presidency of Magdalen College, Oxford in 1686, against the wishes of James II who wished to appoint a catholic to the post. After the furore 'Hough remained in London... during the winter of 1687–8 but, having the reputation of being 'a centre of correspondence' with 'disaffected' notables thought it more discreet to retire to Worcester, where he remained undisturbed in his prebend and where he preached in June 1688'. (Julian Lock, ODNB). He also held the Bishoprics of Oxford, Litchfield and Coventry and was generous benefactor in ensuring the upkeep of church buildings. Hough was buried in the cathedral in Worcester where he is commemorated by a fine monument by Roubiliac, his first major commission in England. The document also makes mention of Barnabus Oley, MA, who was made prebendary of the cathedral in 1660.