Richard Bancroft

Richard Bancroft (1544–1610) was an influential English church leader, serving as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1604 until his death. He played a key role in shaping the Church of England during a time of religious change, overseeing church policies and practices. Bancroft was also a major figure in the review of the Bible translation that eventually produced the King James Version in 1611, helping to standardize and strengthen Protestant church identity. His leadership contributed to balancing Catholic and Protestant influences within the church, and he was known for his scholarly work and efforts to promote religious unity.