In 1576 Thomas Winniffe was born in Sherborne, Dorset [Map].
On 22nd February 1594 Thomas Winniffe [aged 18] matriculated from Exeter College, Oxford University.
On 5th May 1608 Thomas Winniffe [aged 32] was admitted to the rectory of Willingale Doe, Essex, and on 15 June following to that of Lambourne in the same county, and on 30 June 1609 he resigned his fellowship at Exeter, having livings above the statutable value.
On 7th April 1622 Thomas Winniffe [aged 46] preached a sermon denouncing Gondomar, and comparing Spinola with the devil. Sent to the Tower of London, Winniffe repented and appealed to the Spanish and imperial ambassadors, whose intercession caused his release a few days later.
On 17th September 1624 Thomas Winniffe [aged 48] was elected Dean of Gloucester, and was installed on 10th November 1624.
On or before 28th September 1630, the date he was buried within the altar-rails of Lambourne church, Essex, Thomas Winniffe [aged 54] died.
On 18th April 1631 Thomas Winniffe was elected Dean of St Paul's Cathedral.
State Trials and Proceedings for High Treason. 14th May 1631. In pursuance of the Sentence, a warrant was issued for his [Mervyn Tuchet 2nd Earl Castlehaven [aged 38]] Execution upon Saturday the 14th of May following; notice whereof notice was given him, and his coffin carried into the Tower about a week before, that he might the better prepare himself for death: The dean of Paul's, doctor Winerfe, failed not daily to visit him, and to see how he stood, and to settle him in his Religion.
Being brought to the scaffold, attended by the dean of Paul's and Dr. Wickham, together with his servants, he saluted the noble personages, and whole assembly, shewing to them all a very noble, manly and cheerful countenance, such as seemed no ways daunted with the fear of death. After a short while shewing himself to the people, he addressed himself to prayer, the deans accompanying; him in that exercise, but somewhat apart; which being not long, he stood upon his legs, and leaned upon the two deans, conferring with them. Then he turned to the Lords, aud spake to this effect:
"I acknowledge with thankfulness the great goodness uf Almighty God, that it hath pleased las divine majesty to bestow on me many endowments, as honour, riches, and the like, which I have mis-spent; having been a vicious liver, and justly deserved death, for as much, and in that the least sin at God's liands justly deserveth death, and no less; but for the two heinous crimes with which I am branded, condemned, and here to suffer for, I do. here deny them upon my death, freely forgiving those that have accused me, and have been the occasion of my death, even as freely as I myself do desire forgiveness at God's hands, which I hope to obtain through his infinite goodoess and mercy; and somewhat the rather, by your Christian prayers, which I expect, and humbly beg of your lordships and this whole assembly. Now for as aiuch as there hath been speech and rumour of my unsettledness in my Religion, I have, for explanation thereof, not only made Confession ol my Faith to these two worthy doctors, but for better satisfaction to the world in that point, express the same in writing under my hand signed; whicli as it is here set down, I desire may be publicly read."
The Confession of hs Faith then was read by a young gentleman, with a loud voice, wherein he professes he dies in the faith of the church of England.
After which he proceeded: "I acknowledge the great justice and mercy of the king's majesty; his justice in bringing me to the bar; and his mercy in offording me such a noble and gracious Trial there: and I give his majesty humble and hearty thanks in assigning my death to be in this manner, contrary to the Sentence pronounced against me at my arraignment. But there is a greater favour than this, for which I am to render thanks unto his sacred majesty, and that is, the long time I have had to repent in; whereof (praised be Almighty God) I can speak with comfort, I have made good use, and am now fully prepared for death, and much the better, by the good help and instruction of these two worthy men, to whom I acknowledge myself bounden, and do here, before you all, give them hearty thanks for their great pains taken in coming to me, praying for me, and preaching and reading to me. — And I desire your lordships to present my humble acknowledgment to his majesty, for his goodness in sending them to me, and my thanks for the same. — I do also from my heart desire and beseech Almighty God to bless the king's majesty, the queen, and the young prince, together with all such other issue as he shall hereafter in mercy bestow on them, and the whole state; and my trust and desire is, there may be ever one of their line to sway the sceptre of these kingdoms to the world's end. — And I beseech, and do heartily pray for the welfare and happy prosperity of the king and queen of Bohernia, with all their princely issue. I do again desire your lordships to make tender of my humble acknowledgement of his mercy and goodness. — And now lastly, That you will not bend your eyes, so much upon me, as your hands and hearts to heaven in prayers for me; and so I take my last farewell of your lordshipl and the world."
Then he went again to his private prayers; which being done, he prepared himself for death, striving to shew the like courage and magnanimity which he had formerly done, unto the last: but sight of the headsman (whom yet he freely forgave, and took him by the hand, bidding him do his office manfully) together with the apprehension of his near approaching end, made him somewhat to change colour, and shew some signs of trembling passion; for his hands shook a little in undoing his bandstrings; which his man perceiving, stept to him and hclpi him, as also off with his doublet. Then taking leave again of the lords, the doctors, and his man, saying a very short prayer by himself, he pulled down his handkerchief over his face, and laid his head upon the block; which was taken off at one blow.
On or after 4th December 1641 Thomas Winniffe was nominated Bishop of Lincoln.
On 5th January 1642 Thomas Winniffe was elected Bishop of Winchester and consecrated on 6th February 1642; he retained the deanery of St Paul's, but resigned his livings in Essex.