Lewis Bayly

1565-1631. Bishop of Bangor. Native of Wales and educated at Oxford, he graduated D.D. in 1613. His series of sermons while vicar of Evesham became the basis of his famous book, The Practice of Piety, a devotional handbook used in many Puritan households. The date of the first edition is unknown, but the third appeared in 1613, and the fifty-ninth in 1735. It was translated into many languages, including an edition for some American Indians. Despite his outspoken Puritan views, Bayly became a chaplain to Prince Henry. A period of disfavor after the latter's death ended in 1616 when he was appointed first chaplain to the king, then bishop of Bangor. He was imprisoned briefly in 1621 for opposition to royal policy. He resided in his see and spoke Welsh, both of which were unusual for Welsh bishops at the time. But his own conduct was not above suspicion, and many charges were brought against him later in life.