Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Siddall, Henry
SIDDALL or SYDDALL, HENRY (d. 1572), divine, became rector of Woodford in Essex on 5 July 1530. He proceeded B.A. from Cardinal College (afterwards Christ Church), Oxford, on 10 March 1531–2, and in the same year was thrust out of his college by the king's command. Notwithstanding, he proceeded B.C.L. and B.Can.L. on 12 July 1535, and supplicated for the degree of D.D. in 1551–2. On 7 Jan. 1540–1 he obtained the prebend of Stotford in the see of Lichfield, which he exchanged on 8 Dec. 1547 for that of Tervin (Le Neve, Fasti, i. 627, 631). In 1546 he became rector of Berrow in Cheshire, and in the following year he was included in the royal commission appointed to rectify disorders in the church. In the same year he was appointed a canon of Christ Church, Oxford. At that time he was a very zealous protestant, and strenuously supported Peter Martyr when he disputed at Oxford in 1549. In January 1550 he was appointed on a special commission to take proceedings against the anabaptists who were making headway in Kent and Essex.
On the accession of Mary, Siddall was one of the first to become a convert to Roman catholicism, and was especially active in persuading Cranmer to follow his example. He was witness of Cranmer's fifth recantation, and gave him assurance that his life would be spared. In 1557 he was appointed vicar of Walthamstow in Essex.
After the accession of Elizabeth, Siddall was not ashamed to be one of the first to subscribe to the oath, drawn up by Parker in 1560, acknowledging the queen's supremacy and the authority of the Book of Common Prayer. In 1571 he became rector of Long Ditton in Surrey, and on 7 May of the same year was admonished at Oxford for some offence. He died on 2 May 1572, and was buried at Christ Church, Oxford.