Richard Allestree

The Government of the Tongue (Dodo Press) Richard Allestree

Richard Allestree or Allestry (1619-1681), was a Royalist churchman and provost of Eton College from 1665. He was born at Uppington in Shropshire. He was educated at Coventry and later at Christ Church, Oxford. Allestree entered as a commoner in 1636, was made a student shortly afterwards, and took the degree of B. A. in 1640 and of M. A. in 1643. In 1642 he joined the king's army, under Sir John Biron. In 1643 he was again on military service, performing "all duties of a common soldier" and "frequently holding his musket in one hand and his book in the other. " Allestree voted for the university decree against the Covenant, and, refusing submission to the parliamentary visitors in 1648, he was expelled. In 1663 he was made chaplain to the king and Regius Professor of Divinity. In 1665 Allestree was appointed provost of Eton College, and proved himself a capable administrator. His works include: The Gentleman's Calling (1664), The Privileges of the University of Oxford in Point of Visitation (1674) and The Government of the Tongue (1674).