John White (bishop)

John White (1510 – 12 January 1560) was a Headmaster and Warden of Winchester College during the English Reformation who, remaining staunchly Roman Catholic in duty to his mentor Stephen Gardiner, became Bishop of Lincoln and finally Bishop of Winchester during the reign of Queen Mary. For several years he led the college successfully through very difficult circumstances. A capable if somewhat scholastic composer of Latin verse, he embraced the rule of Philip and Mary enthusiastically and vigorously opposed the Reformation theology.

He was active in the Marian persecutions, and (as the Cardinal's commissioner) personally conducted the final public examinations and condemnation of Nicholas Ridley and Hugh Latimer in 1555. Having given himself wholeheartedly in these affairs, he fell sharply out of favour when Mary died and, being unguarded in his opposition to Elizabeth's religious policies, he was soon deprived and imprisoned. His apologists refer to his austerity, his firmness of principle and the power of his teaching: to his opponents he was a cruel and resolute servant of the usurped power of Rome.