born Oct. 7, 1573, Reading, Berkshire, Eng.
died Jan. 10, 1645, London
Archbishop of Canterbury (1633–45) and religious adviser to Charles I .
He became a privy councillor in 1627 and bishop of London in 1628, devoting himself to combating Puritanism and enforcing strict Anglican ritual. By the time he became archbishop of Canterbury, he had extended his authority over the whole country. He attacked the Puritan practice of preaching as dangerous, and he had Puritan writers such as Wentworth , Laud used his influence over the king to influence government social policy. By 1637, opposition to Laudian reppression had grown, and Laud's attempts to impose Anglican forms of worship in Scotland provoked fierce resistance. In 1640 the Long Parliament met, and Laud was accused of high treason. His trial, which began in 1644 and was managed by Prynne, resulted in Laud's conviction and beheading.