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John Lake
Born in Halifax 1624, he was educated at St John's Cambridge, and had been in King Charles I's camp at Oxford, serving in the army for 4 years, and present at the seige of Basing House in 1643-45. After his exploits he was given the name "The Cavalier Rector" and he became a preacher in Prestwich in 1649, at that time covering Oldahm too, but had to vacate the post in 1654 following his opposition to the Presbyterian church government, and his anti-parliament service.
The Duke of Monmouths Rebellion ocurred during his time at Bristol, which was an attempt in the West and coordinated with Scotland, to overthrow King James II. For his services during that time, John was appointed Bishop of Chichester. Despite his loyality over the years, he was one of seven Bishops sent to the Tower for rebellion, refusing to publish Charles II's declaration of Indulgence in 1688.
He went back to Yorkshire and became Vicar of Leeds, becoming a Doctor of Divinity, and was appointed rector of St Botolph's in Bishopsgate,London. By 1668 he returned to Prestwich, appointed by Edmund Ashton Esq., though his attendance was probably minimal, and remained in the position until resigning in 1685. John went on to become Bishop of Sodor and Man, then Bishop of Bristol.
