Robert Skinner (bishop)

Robert Skinner (1591 – 1670) was an English clergyman who served as Bishop of Bristol, Bishop of Oxford, and Bishop of Worcester during the tumultuous period of the English Civil War and the Restoration.

Skinner was born in Lincolnshire and educated at Trinity College, Oxford, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Doctor of Divinity degrees. He was ordained a priest in 1615.

His early career saw him hold various ecclesiastical positions, including rector of Pertenhall, Bedfordshire, and chaplain to Archbishop George Abbot. He was appointed Master of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, in 1636.

Skinner's career was significantly impacted by the English Civil War. He was a staunch Royalist and suffered for his loyalty to Charles I. He was deprived of his Mastership at Caius College and imprisoned by Parliamentarians. He was consecrated Bishop of Bristol in 1637, but the effects of the war limited his ability to effectively administer his diocese. He was deprived of that bishopric in 1649.

Following the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Skinner was reinstated. He was appointed Bishop of Oxford in 1663, and later translated to the more prestigious see of Worcester in 1663. He served in this role until his death in 1670.

Skinner was known for his theological conservatism and his unwavering support of the Church of England. He was a prominent figure in the Laudian wing of the church, advocating for ceremonialism and hierarchical structure. Despite the hardships he faced during the Interregnum, he remained steadfast in his beliefs and played a significant role in the re-establishment of the Church of England after the Restoration. He is buried in Worcester Cathedral.