Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Gravet, William
GRAVET, WILLIAM (d. 1599), divine, a native of Buckinghamshire, was matriculated as a pensioner of Peterhouse, Cambridge, in November 1554, proceeded B.A. in 1557–1558, and in 1558 was elected a fellow of Pembroke Hall. He commenced M.A. in 1561. On 8 Oct. 1566 he was instituted to the vicarage of St. Sepulchre in London, on the presentation of the queen. On 28 July 1567 he was collated to the prebend of Willesden in the church of St. Paul. He attended at the deathbed of Roger Ascham. In 1569 he proceeded B.D. On 3 Dec. in that year he was instituted to the rectory of Little Laver in Essex, on the presentation of John Collyer. He also held the rectory of Bradfield in Berkshire. In 1582 he is mentioned as a fit person to confer with seminary priests and jesuits. In Trinity term 1597 he was defendant in an action for slanderously charging one John Rogers with being a witch and a sorcerer. He died shortly before 5 March 1598–9. He is author of: 1. ‘Sermon at S. Paul's Cross, 18 Aug. 1566, on 1 Cor. xii. 1 seq.’ 2. ‘A Short Catechism for the use of some in S. Pulcre's parish,’ 1575 (anon.) 3. ‘A Sermon preached at Paules Crosse, 25 June 1587, intreating of the Holy Scriptures and the use of the same,’ 8vo, London, 1587. If Martin Mar-Prelate is to be credited, Gravet was notoriously addicted to excessive drinking.
[Cooper's Athenæ Cantabr. ii. 268, 550.]