Nicholas Sanders

Nicholas Sanders (also spelled Sander) (circa 1530–1581) was an English Catholic priest and polemicist.

Early life

Sanders was born at Chariwood (or Charlwood Place, probably Charlwood), Surrey, the son of William Sanders, once sheriff of Surrey, who was descended from the Sanders of Sanderstead. Sanders was educated at Winchester College and New College, Oxford, where he was elected fellow in 1548 and graduated B.C.L. in 1551. The family had strong Roman Catholic leanings, and two of his elder sisters became nuns of Sion convent before its dissolution. Sanders was selected to deliver the oration at the reception of Cardinal Pole's visitors by the university in 1557.

After Elizabeth's accession he went to Rome, where he was befriended by Pole's confidant Cardinal Morone.

Priesthood

Sanders was ordained a priest in Rome, and even before the end of 1550 had been mentioned as a likely cardinal. In the following years he was employed by Cardinal Hosius, the learned Polish prelate, in his efforts to check the spread of heresy in Poland, Lithuania and Prussia.