John Castell

Who is John Castell?

John Castell was a Master of University College, Oxford, and later a Chancellor of the University of Oxford

Castell was a Fellow of University College. He became Master of the College in circa 1408. He also held preferment in the Diocese of York with his mastership. In 1411, a sentence of excommunication was issued by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Arundel, against Castell, Fellows at the College — Robert Burton, John Hamerton, and Adam Redyford — and the College as a whole, due to Lollardy leanings. An appeal to the Pope against the excommunication was made by the bursar of the College, John Ryvell. Castell survive the controversy and continued as Master until 1420.

John Castell was appointed a King's Clerk in 1420. In 1421, he became Chancellor of Oxford University, a position he held until 1426.