Vicar of Bray
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Vicar of Bray
1. a vicar (Simon Aleyn) appointed to the parish of Bray in Berkshire during Henry VIII's reign who changed his faith to Catholic when Mary I was on the throne and back to Protestant when Elizabeth I succeeded and so retained his living
2. a ballad in which the vicar's changes of faith are transposed to the Stuart period
Vicar of Bray
declared that he would retain his office regardless of the reigning king’s religion. [Br. Balladry: Walsh Classical, 61]
See: Boastfulness
Vicar of Bray
changes religious affiliation to suit reigning monarch. [Br. Folklore: Walsh Classical, 61]
See: Hypocrisy