Simon Aleyn
Simon Aleyn was a Dean and [Canons of Windsor|Canon of Windsor] from 1559 to 1563
He was educated in Oxford and graduated BA 1539, MA 1542.
He was appointed:
- Vicar of Cookham 1553
- Vicar of Strathfieldsaye 1559
In legend, Aleyn retained his benefice during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary and Elizabeth, he is said to have been successively Catholic, Protestant, Catholic, and Protestant in order to fulfil his principle.
Unto my Dying Day, Sir.
That whatsoever King may reign,
I will be the Vicar of Bray, Sir!
However, in reality Aleyn was only Vicar of Bray from 1557 to 1565, i.e. from the last years of the Catholic monarchs Mary and Philip into the early years of Elizabeth I.
His date of death is disputable since it appears to be 1563 in Fasti Wyndsorienses, but is given as 1565 in the online clergy database.