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Andrew Perne

1911 Encyclopedia Britannica

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ANDREW PERNE (c. 1519-1589), vice-chancellor of Cambridge University and dean of Ely, born about 1591, was son of John Perne of East Bilney, Norfolk. He was educated at St John's college, Cambridge, graduating B.A. in 1539, B.D. in 1 547 and D.D. in 1552. He was elected fellow of Queens' in 1540, and vice-president in 1551, and was five times vicechancellor; but he owes his notoriety to his remarkable versatility, and, like the vicar of Bray, he was always faithful to the national religion, whatever it might be. In April 1547 he advocated Catholic doctrines, but recanted two months later, and his Protestant faith was strengthened during Edward VI.'s reign; he was appointed a royal chaplain and canon of Windsor. Soon after Mary's accession, however, he perceived the error of his ways and was made master of Peterhouse in 1554 and dean of Ely in 1557. He preached the sermon in 1556 when the bodies of Bucer and Fagius were disinterred and burnt for heresy, and also in 1560 when these proceedings were reversed and the dead heretics were rehabilitated. In Elizabeth's reign he subscribed the Thirty-nine Articles, denounced the pope and tried to convert Abbot Feckenham to Protestantism; and in 1584 Whitgift in vain recommended him for a bishopric. He died on the 26th of April 1589. He was selected as the type of Anglican prelate by the authors of the Martin Mar-prelate tracts and other Puritans, who nicknamed him "Old Andrew Turncoat," "Andrew Ambo," "Old Father Palinode." Cambridge wits, it was said, translated "perno" by "I turn, I rat, I change often"; and a coat that had often been turned was said to have been "perned." (A. F. P.)