Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Leland, John

LELAND, JOHN, an English antiquary; born in London, England, about 1506. After a residence in Paris he became chaplain to Henry VIII., who in 1533, commissioned him as &ldquo;king's antiquary,&rdquo; with power to search for records of antiquity in the cathedrals, colleges, abbeys, and priories of England. His Church preferments were the rectories of Pofeling, in the marches of Calais, and Haseley in Oxfordshire, a canonry of King's College (now Christ Church), Oxford, and a prebend of Salisbury. His last five years were darkened by insanity. Died April 18, 1552.