Walter_Curle
Walter Curle
English bishop (1575–1647)
Walter Curle (or Curll; 1575 – 1647) was an English bishop, a close supporter of William Laud.[1] Born in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, he was educated at St Albans School and at Christ's College, Cambridge (matriculated c. 1592), transferring to Peterhouse (BA c. 1595; MA in 1598), of which college he later was elected Fellow.[2][3]
He was bishop of Winchester from 1632 to 1646. When in 1645 Parliamentary forces under Oliver Cromwell captured Winchester, he went into exile at Soberton.[4] He was deprived of his See by Parliament on 9 October 1646, as episcopacy was abolished for the duration of the Commonwealth and the Protectorate.[5][6]
He was bishop of Rochester in 1628,[7] and bishop of Bath and Wells from 1629 to 1632. His translation caused the vacancy as Rector of Bemerton that gave the poet George Herbert a living there.[8][9] He was Dean of Lichfield 1622 to 1628.[10] Curll's son Walter Curll was created a baronet in 1678 (see Curll baronets).