Ken, Thomas (1637-1711)

English Anglican churchman, Bishop of Bath and Wells 1685-91. In this post, he tried and acquitted William Sancroft and six other bishops who had refused to read James II's Declaration of Indulgence (the seven bishops trial) in 1688. He was replaced for refusing to swear allegiance to the new English king William of Orange.

Ken was born at Little Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, and was educated at Winchester and New College, Oxford, graduating in 1664. He was vicar to several country parishes before Charles II named him chaplain to Mary, wife of William of Orange, in 1679. He was also a prolific composer of hymns, most notably ‘Awake, my soul’ and ‘Glory to Thee, my God, this night’ written for the boys of Winchester School.