Simon Haynes

Simon Haynes or Heynes (died 1552) was Dean of Exeter, Ambassador to France, and a signatory of the decree that invalidated the marriage of Henry VIII with Anne of Cleves. He became President of Queens' College at the University of Cambridge from 1529 to 1537, and toward the end of his life, was installed Canon of Windsor at Windsor Castle. Life Haynes was educated at Queens' College, Cambridge. He graduated B.A. in 1516, was elected fellow of his college in 1516, proceeded M.A. in 1519, and had a title for orders from Queens' College in February 1521. He took part in the expulsion of Dr. John Jennins from the presidency of Queens' in 1518, and in 1528 was himself elected president. Being empowered by the college to make bargains and covenants at his discretion, he alienated some of the estates belonging to the society. On 28 November 1528 Haynes was instituted to the rectory of Barrow, Suffolk. He was one of the delegates appointed by the senate to make a determination as to the king's divorce in 1529–30; commenced D.D. in 1531, and in 1532–3 and 1533–4 served the office of Vice-chancellor. On 23 May 1533 he attested Archbishop Thomas Cranmer's instrument of divorce at Dunstable, implicating Catherine of Aragon, and in 1534 was admitted vicar of Stepney, Middlesex. During that year he and Bishop John Skip, the chaplain of Queen Anne Boleyn, were selected by the court to preach at Cambridge against papal supremacy.