Christopher Wren (priest)


Christopher Wren B.D. was Dean of Windsor from 1635 until his death.

Family

He was the son of Francis Wren, citizen and mercer of London, and Suzanna Wiggington. His father Francis Wren was the only son of Cuthbert Wren, of Monk's-Kirby, in the county of Warwick, second son of William Wren, of Sherborne-House and of Billy-Hall in the bishopric of Durham. He was descended from an ancient family which came originally from Denmark.
He was the brother of the preceding Dean of Windsor, Matthew Wren.
He married Mary Cox, and their son was the architect Christopher Wren.

Career

He was educated at Merchant Taylors School and St John’s College, Cambridge and graduated BA in 1609, MA in 1613, BD in 1620.
He was appointed:
He was appointed Dean of Windsor in 1635. When Parliamentary forces occupied Windsor Castle, he refused to give the keys of the Chapel to Captain Fogg. Captain Fogg broke open the treasury and plundered it. Wren managed to preserve the records of the Order of the Garter, and King Edward III’s sword.