George Heneage (priest)

George Heneage (c. 1483 - 4 August 1549) was an English cleric, archdeacon of Lincoln, and Dean of Lincoln Cathedral. He was a prominent figure during the English Reformation, known for his changing religious allegiances during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Mary I.

Heneage was educated at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he was a Fellow from 1505 to 1515. He held various ecclesiastical positions before becoming archdeacon of Lincoln in 1520, a post he held until his death. He was also a prebendary of Lincoln Cathedral, eventually becoming its Dean in 1528.

During the reign of Henry VIII, Heneage initially supported the King's divorce from Catherine of Aragon, aligning himself with the Royal Supremacy. He subscribed to the Act of Supremacy in 1534, acknowledging Henry VIII as the Supreme Head of the Church of England.

Under Edward VI, Heneage embraced the Protestant reforms implemented by the Duke of Somerset. He participated in the dismantling of traditional Catholic practices within Lincoln Cathedral and oversaw the implementation of new Protestant liturgy.

However, with the accession of Mary I, a devout Catholic, Heneage reversed his position once again. He publicly recanted his Protestant beliefs and conformed to the restored Catholic doctrines. This shift in allegiance allowed him to retain his position as Dean of Lincoln Cathedral.

George Heneage's ability to adapt to changing religious landscapes during the tumultuous years of the English Reformation highlights the complex choices faced by clergy members during this period. He died in 1549.