Lee, Rowland

Lee or Legh, Rowland (both: lē), d. 1543, English bishop. Educated at Cambridge, he received preferments under the patronage of Cardinal Wolsey, who employed him in the suppression of the monasteries (1528–29). He was greatly esteemed by Henry VIII and is believed to have performed the ceremony of Henry's marriage to Anne Boleyn (1533). He was made (1534) bishop of Coventry and Lichfield and president of the council of the marches in Wales, where he proved to be an efficient administrator. He was one of the first bishops to take the oath of supremacy recognizing Henry as head of the church.