A Past Life

Please note that in the picture below (right) I, Leslie am wearing a modern clerical collar this is to show that although I am not a priest in this life I have been in the past. To be consecrated as a priest, and to receive The Apostolic Succession constitutes an initiation which is for 'The Being', not the body. As I am the same being that was John Williams I still have that privilege and will retain it through the lives unless it is misused. I performed a Twelve Blessings Service a while ago which was dedicated to a re-invocation and acknowledgement of that initiation, and I now feel that my prayers are much more powerful as a result of that declaration and re-acceptance of responsibility. All priests who have been thus initiated will carry it onwards, it is a shame though that many do not remember this in their subsequent lives.

If you look at my 'What is Reincarnation' page you will read why most of us cannot remember very much, if anything at all about past lives. I now realise that I remember only as much as I do to bring home to me why I can't remember more. I recently was listening to Classic FM Radio playing a piece of gentle church choir music, and I was almost in tears. I know instinctively that the more I remember of my life as John Williams - the Welsh Prelate the more I will miss those times, and the more difficult it could become to get on with my life now. I had a practical example of this when I visited Westminster Abbey's museum last year, and saw a lady's dress dating from the 1600s. If I'd had one wish then it would have been to return to the court of my dear friend and patron King James, and my role as Bishop of Lincoln / Dean of westminster.

As you read this page it will become obvious that I was in for a surprise when I discovered that I had been almost to the top of the Anglican church as a result of James' 17th century Royal patronage. Two lives ago I was born in the 19th year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, I lived through the reign of two kings - James I and Charles I, and now in this life I am again in the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. As John Williams D.D. I lived a life of great joy, sadness, intrigue, and most importantly - total dedication to my God.

Here is a brief explanation of how in this life the story unfolded for me . . .

For many years I have had a 'gut feeling' about aspects of my own past lives. I was born in Grimsby, Lincolnshire this time, and although I love being near the sea I do not particularly like being on it. I came to believe that this may be because I have drowned at sea at some past time, possibly in my immediately previous life, which would be why my sub-conscious mind has blocked any recollections of it, yet I am definitely feeling things about the one before that!.

I do stress for the benefit of anyone wondering about their own past lives that while it is nice to find 'evidence', the most important tool is one's own feelings ...... Remember - your own sub-conscious mind was there too. It has access to every memory in perfect detail. Remember also that "Your focus determines your reality!", and many people have no conscious realisation of past lives because the idea does not form part of their 'normal' every-day thought pattern. Unfortunately there are many people who live entirely in the basic materialistic world, and rarely think of anything higher.

So, as Luke Skywalker was instructed by Obiwan Kanobe in Star Wars (IV) - "Stretch out with your feelings!", and the more one thinks about something the more one attracts it. Thoughts may be likened to pushing a hat-pin through a pin cushion - the first insertion is difficult because one has to make the initial hole, but the more it is done the easier it becomes.

Maybe some of the things I mention on this page may help my reader to recognise their own past-life clues ?

I sometimes reflect that as a child not yet in my teens, I used to visit the local Grimsby church of 'St Andrew the fisherman and healer', I loved that church, its smell and its quiet, magical atmosphere. I loved just walking down the aisle, and staring at the altar. Hanging from the ceiling was a large crucifix in the form of an anchor, which now sits in the replacement church - a building shaped like a brick shoe-box, but within which I was married to my childhood sweetheart - Jenny in July 1969. I came to recognise years later of course that while a cross is a holy shape, a crucifix is a black-magic symbol, and should never be used. The older church was pulled down as the council wanted to build shops and a pub on the site, I was heartbroken.

When I was arranging my wedding at that newer church, the vicar asked me what music I would like. I left the decision to him. He chose William Blake's 'Jerusalem', but commented "The problem with the words to that song is that they ask questions, the answer to which is NO!", this troubled me for some years. I eventually discovered that he was wrong - Blake knew very well that the answers were 'YES'.

In the 1990s I had confirmation from a deep-trance medium that I had been a monk at Glastonbury, as had she, though then as a man of course. Although I as yet don't have any detailed memories of this I suspect it was around 1125 or so. Another friend independently said when she first met me that in her mind's eye she saw me "dressed in brown". I had already picked up on my possibly having worn a brown habit in the past, see my poem called "LINK" which was written some weeks earlier. The person in the poem was supposed to be myself, at two different times in history.

I have reason to believe that at one time I may have been knighted in England - which has happened to me twice in this life - ie: a Knight of The Mystical Order of Saint Peter and a Knight of The International Chivalric Order of The Knights of Justice, and later I possibly went to fight in the latter crusades, ending my days on Mount Carmel - again as a monk. Finally - I was informed by the psychic mentioned above that somewhere in England there is a large house, not necessarily a stately home, where there is a painting, the subject of which is very like me. See the Westminster Abbey Library's painting of The Lord Keeper, Dean John Williams further down this page. Is this the painting in question ?

In this photo, which was taken in 1977 by my good friend Gordon Coggon, I was stood on top of a multi-storey car park, with Lincoln Cathedral strategically in the background. It was while I was in the RAF and stationed at Scampton, five miles north of Lincoln. I wrote in my photo album underneath this picture "If I ever have to live in a city, it would have to be Lincoln", I wonder why I felt like that? Maybe my having previously been The Bishop of Lincoln for twenty years could be the answer?

I didn't pay too much attention to the Cathedral in the 1970s, but on reflection - had I done so it may have triggered certain familiar feelings prematurely. It is only in recent years, after being associated with a very active spiritual organisation since 1981 that I feel I am more able to handle and understand those 'vibrations' linking me with an identity I held more than 380 years earlier.

During my many visits to Lincoln Castle I especially liked the little chapel - go in through the East Gate, turn left, and its on the right. It is a small room, and to make the most of it the pews are arranged at a steep angle, with the front ones much lower than the rear ones. The pulpit is not far from the front pews, but roughly on an eye-level with those at the back. This chapel had a certain magic for me, but as said before - I did not know why at the time.

My clairaudient medium friend - Mat Tyler told me that his guide(s) had said it was because I had visited this place regularly as a child, and I liked the feeling of vertigo I got when I stood at the back and looked down to the front pews. However, they didn't say in which life this occurred? It wasn't in this present one, and I cannot as yet connect John Williams - who was Welsh born with Lincoln during his childhood, even though he was the Bishop of Lincoln later in his life. This chapel is a piece of the jigsaw which I have not yet placed. It has occurred to me though that it may belong to the missing 'last life' - possibly somewhere between the mid 1700s and the mid 1800s?

It is not confirmed yet, but I am beginning to suspect that I was also William (surname unknown) who was the Abbot of Basingwerk, Holywell, Flintshire in North-East Wales approximately between 1314 and 1317. The white-robed Cistercians were under The Church of Rome as this was before Henry VIII broke away, forming The Anglican Church, and I most definitely had protestant leanings in my life as John Williams. I will see if any other information comes to light re Basingwerk.

Note here and below my repeated connection with Wales, and the name William(s). My father of this life was William George John Baker, and his father was William Lawrence Baker (Sgt. in The East Surrey Regt.). It has occurred to me that I may have been my own father's father, and though I get a yes with my pendulum this also has not been confirmed by other means. If this latter identity is correct, and it is little more than speculation at the moment, of course it would mean that I was only on the other realms (discarnate) for no more than 40 years before my current birth. I don't know yet exactly when or how my paternal grandfather died. Incidentally, if I had been born eight months later, it would have been exactly three hundred years since my death as John Williams.

There may be a temptation on the part of some people to say that if I - Leslie was 'so and so' in the past I should be able to remember it! Ask yourself whether you remember anything from a past life? ... Most people can't. Why should I be any different? One difference is that I have been investigating my past, as anyone can if they so choose!

WHY can't I (or you) remember anything from past lives? - Imagine that in your last life you were absolutely in love with your spouse, who died tragically, that in the life before that YOU died by drowning, three lives ago you saw hundreds of people die in an earthquake, four lives ago you were absolutely passionate about the beautiful countryside where you lived, and were heartbroken when you died and left it ... and so on for thousands of lives. How would you feel if you could now remember these things? You would probably not be able to get on with your present life. The memory HAS TO BE BLOCKED to allow you to continue now, blocked at least until you are ready to handle past events without falling into uncontrollable sadness or remorse. The results of those lives are nevertheless intuitively with you now, if you would but try to tune into them.

Remember that there may not be a close resemblance between a person's appearance in this life and a painting or etching from a previous time, as the two incarnations may be into different family lines, and therefore have different genetic heritages, and a painting is only an artist's impression of the person - not a photo. It is true to say though that 'The eyes are the windows [or mirrors] of the soul'. I can quite plainly see myself in the eyes of John Williams' portraits - as has been noticed by various people who know me, and have seen the pictures.

One very good friend, for whom I have a great deal of affection warned me that it is easy to imagine oneself as being a reincarnation of a previously famous person. I hope my readers will gather from this page's text that I did not go out of my way to associate myself with a particular personality of the past. I discovered that a historic figure whom I had been drawn towards in my recent studies was myself - back in the seventeenth century!. Much of the circumstantial evidence was established before I knew anything about John Williams. I discovered my previous name long before I knew anything of the life story or achievements ..... Read on :-

I will not bore my readers with all of the detail of how my realisation of previous identity came about, it took a good few years, but just mention that thinking I had been a run-of-the-mill vicar I printed off from the internet lists which included Deacons and Bishops of Lincoln, in the hope that a name would 'ring bells' (Hopefully - church bells!).

I have used a pendulum for many years for dowsing, and had some moderate successes. So on Sunday 19th August 2007 I looked at the list of deacons, and then bishops and asked if any name related to myself? I got an instant response to 'John Williams'. During this session I asked "Was this me?", and got an immediate YES response. I must admit that on reflection, there was a vague familiarity in this name. I tried on several occasions later to phrase the question differently, to cross check the answers, but repeatedly got YES.

I had my mind blown when I did a search on John Williams' life story, and read of each accomplishment and change of role. I managed to find several photos of engravings and paintings, each of which I tested with my pendulum. It didn't matter how I checked - I still got a definite YES to it being myself - two lives ago.

When I just mentioned the name to Mat Tyler he said that he got goose bumps, and his guides told him that I was on the right track - IT WAS ME!

Before I realised, in this life, that I'd previously had any definite connections with Lincoln, and when I was taking part in western reenactment with my dear friend Tony Forth, in my home town of Grimsby between 2001 and 2005, I invented a fictitious character in the form of Preacher William 'Billy' Dean whom I decided became a priest in Lincoln, and went to America to preach to the settlers, becoming an outlaw after killing a drunkard in self defense in a saloon in Boston Massachusetts. This is described in The Ballad of Preacher Billy Dean

One side comment here ... I chose The Preacher's name from my father WILLIAM George John Baker, and my Mother's maiden name - Emma DEAN. It occurred to me later how significant this was as in reality I had previously been :-

Sometime back in late August 2007 I had my first conscious experience of clairaudience when a voice in my head said that I had been connected with a St Botolph's Church, in the diocese of Lincoln, and I assumed this was the one in the city of Lincoln, although the full name for that church is St. Botolph-by-Bargate. Imagine my amazement when on 15th September 2007 I discovered that John Williams had been the patron and friend of the Puritan Minister Rev. John Cotton, who's first calling was at St Botolph's Church, Boston, Lincolnshire (The Boston Stump), yes - in the diocese of Lincoln, but not in the city of Lincoln, and that John Cotton sailed on The Griffin on 13th July 1633 to Boston in Massachusetts to preach to the new generation of settlers.

I had of course, to place Rev. William 'Billy' Dean in the 1800s, at the height of the cowboy era, not in the 1600s as per John Cotton.

Remember that my cowboy-preacher character and the connections with both Lincoln and Boston were made up BEFORE I consciously knew the background to it. I got the town name, the church name and the mission to America right,

As the days and weeks roll on my conviction that I was indeed John Williams gets stronger, in fact I no longer have any doubts whatsoever. I was then born in 1582 while Queen Elizabeth 1st was on the throne. She died on 24th March 1603, the day before my 21st birthday. I then lived through the rule of two further kings, both of whom were my patron and friend - James 1st and his younger son Charles 1st. The older brother was Prince Henry Frederick who unfortunately died, possibly of typhoid in 1612 at the age of 18. The next British monarch was Charles II, who did not take the throne of England until 1660 - ten years after my death. Likewise there was no official Archbishop of York after me for ten years.

In September 2007 I discovered the article below on another website, and just had to include it here!

I received this about a week ago. I'm not really into the Shakespeare authorship debate, but I know from emails that some of my readers are!

Shakespeare and Welsh literary police

Further 'Shakespeare portrait is a fake', ( Catriona Davies 28/10/2005) et al., octogenarian Welsh vicar, author and broadcaster, the Rev Aelwyn Roberts of Llandegai, North Wales, has told me there is nothing new about mysteries surrounding Shakespeare. He says that in his whodunnit 'Operation Woolsack' (later on ITV as the "Swan of Ogwen" in the early 90s) he used police investigation techniques, not academic textual criticism, to establish who the genuine bard might have been -- perhaps even the Welshman, Archbishop John of York, buried at Llandegai church. He tells me that King James I was John's patron (and perhaps more), and gave him many royal gifts and honours for his 'services to English literature' while he was secluded for nine years in Walgrave, Northamptonshire. He says the first 'Shakespeare' folio was published precisely when (1623) John left Walgrave for Westminster. But where are John's writings? There was a mysterious fire, 40 years after John's death, at Westminster Abbey library, opposite Parliament. Only John's books and two bundles of handwritten English poems were destroyed -- a medieval, spin coverup? Aelwyn says he still has a few early proof copies (signed in green by himself) of 'Operation Woolsack' and you can email him for one at aelwyn@aelwynroberts.wanadoo.co.uk" -- �6.50 inc p&p.

Dr P.D. O'Neill (email withheld).

I now have a copy of Aelwyn's book 'Operation Woolsack', which I have read from cover to cover, and I am completely happy about the way the police-style investigation was carried out, and the conclusions which were reached. The 'Shakespeare' First Folio was undoubtedly arranged and consolidated by John Williams who at King James' command spent nine years between 1614 and 1623 as Rector of Walgrave in Northamptonshire, in quiet seclusion drawing upon his own literary works plus editing and in some cases totally rewriting the offerings of such possible people as William Shakespeare, Edward de Vere, Mary Sidney, Francis Bacon and Christopher Marlow, maybe even other writers? It is extremely difficult after such a long time to be really sure who wrote some of the original pre-First Folio drafts.

Mary Sidney, Countess of Pembroke had been a Lady-in-waiting for Queen Elizabeth I but she caught smallpox from the Queen and retired to private life, where with her husband she encouraged many writers, playwrights and poets such as those mentioned above and yes, including John Williams to visit at her home - Wilton House near Salisbury. There is still doubt as to whether William Shakespeare actually visited there. There was supposedly a letter which went missing, written by Mary Sidney and stating that "... William Shakespeare is here ...", but apart from that no other documentation so far discovered seems to suggest his connection with the Sidney family..

While searching the internet for more information about Mary Sidney I found this interesting comment (clue 1) . . .

This First Folio is dedicated to Mary Sidney�s two sons, the "incomparable brethren," neither of whom has otherwise been connected to the man named William Shakespeare.

John, on the other hand was a close friend of the Sidney family, and knew the two sons very well.

Shakespeare died in 1616, long before the First Folio was publicly released in 1623 when Williams took it to King James in Westminster. According to Aelwyn during Shakespeare's lifetime no one in Stratford, none of his relatives, nor his wife - Anne Hathaway had any indication whatsoever that he had written anything like those literary masterpieces of The First Folio which were later [by design of King James and John Williams] attributed to him, even though some plays were performed earlier - for example Romeo & Juliet and Midsummer night's dream in 1590, and Hamlet in 1601. He reputedly completed the sonnets in 1609. He was known to be an actor, but there appears to be NO documentary evidence whatsoever that he was a writer, it is by later reputation only!

King James knew only too well that John Williams had enemies in the church, in parliament, and in the law courts, who, if they knew of this senior clergyman's connection with 'outlandish' plays, romantic sonnets and poems would use it against him. So The Bard's identity had to be kept secret, for the time being. Some people may say that this is absolute nonesense, but remember - I WAS THERE!

Both King James and John Williams arranged for additional clues to the original Bard's identity (clue 2) ... if you look at the bust of William Shakespeare at Stratford (below, left) which was put in place at James' command - he has his hands resting on a woolsack. The woolsack was a sort of cushion filled with sheep's fleeces, upon which The Lord Keeper / Chancellor sat in The House of Lords. Shakespeare never held such a position, nor had he any connection with The House, but at the time that the monument was erected John Williams was The Lord Keeper. Next (clue 3) . . . the monument which marks John Williams' resting place in Llandegai Church (below, right) shows him kneeling on a woolsack (hence Aelwyn's Operation Woolsack), and holding a scroll in his left hand. It's only my fancy, but I like to think that he has the tips of his right fingers on his chest as if to gesture "It was I".

Here is an English translation of the Latin epitaph on John Williams monument at Llandegai, written by Bishop John Hacket. good friend and biographer - The Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry :-

Is this another clue to William Shakespeare not really being the creator of The First Folio??

On the left, below you can see the front cover of The First Folio. On the right is a close-up of the peculiar image of William Shakespeare. Look closely ... notice the irregularities ? The head is large compared to the size of the tunic. There is an emphasized line down the side of the face suggestive of a mask. The eyes have been compared and it seems that both are actually left eyes. Several professional clothiers have apparently also agreed that the left and right arms are actually the front and back of a left arm. Its as if someone was having a joke at Shakespeare's expense.

The original reference books that John Williams used at Walgrave, and his collection of handwritten Play / Sonnet / Poem manuscripts were placed in Westminster Abbey Library for safekeeping initially in 1651, after being bequeathed by John's nephew Gryffith Williams. A room was specially set up to hold them, and they were deposited in it in 1653. They included an instruction that at a point in time, possibly fifty years after his death (~1700) the true identity of the First Folio's creator should be publicly revealed.

In 1695 there was a mysterious fire in that room of the library, and the ONLY things which were destroyed were John's books and the two piles of handwritten British manuscripts. Here is a copy of a book page, given to me by Christine - the Westminster Abbey Assistant Keeper of Muniments on my visit there on Friday 5th October 2007, which may be the only surviving account of the fire.

It is strongly suspected that the then Dean of Westminster - Thomas Spratt - known as The Gloomy Dean did not want such writings as the romantic sonnets and the promiscuous 'Merry wives of Windsor' to be connected with the clergy, and committed arson by setting fire to John's room in the library, a library incidentally which only existed because John previously went to the trouble of setting it up, and taking personal responsibility for acquiring the book collection.

I have now obtained an original (1693) copy of the biography of John Williams entitled . . .

'Scrinia Reserata: A Memorial Offer'd To The Great Deservings Of John Williams',

and written by his younger close friend and associate John Hacket - Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, printed 43 years after Williams' death.

The Latin phrase indicates 'Documents or manuscripts relating to John Williams - made available', as explained below:

When Williams fell into disfavour, especially with Archbishop Laud (of Canterbury), and was imprisoned in The Tower of London for three and a half years (1637 - 1640) John Hacket visited him regularly.

Anyway, I (Leslie) write poetry too, some is serious, some funny, some romantic, and I've done a few ghost stories in verse, a fair few have mystical or metaphysical content, I even wrote a short soliloquy, all before I started this line of research and came to consciously know of my previous identity of course.

Maybe it wasn't by chance then that in the mid 1990s I wrote a series of single verse four liners collectively entitled 'It was me!' with the tongue-in-cheek theme that whenever something great in history had taken place I had actually brought it about, but I never got the credit for it, and I included this verse, which now might seem like a ghostly sub-conscious prompting ?

Here is a small sample of John Williams' handwriting, copied from one of his notebooks used at St. John's College, Cambridge in 1622. Click this thumbnail to see a larger, more detailed image.

For this handwriting sample, and the English translation of the Latin text on John's tomb at Llandegai I again thank Christine - the Assistant Keeper of Muniments at Westminster Abbey.

As you can tell from other pages on this site I am keenly interested in metaphysics. That word is one of my favourites, which I use regularly, and with great enthusiasm. I was amused to read in John's biography that while studying for his doctorate in Divinity John Williams 'specialised in metaphysics' between 1607 & 1609 exactly 400 years ago ... How many clergymen do you know who even know what metaphysics is?

On one occasion when John was attending the law courts a judge who knew that he had not had formal training in law tried to confuse him by asking a question using a number of long disused and obsolete terms. John gave an interesting reply, which caused those present to laugh at his wit and ingenuity. Here is the actual text detailing the event ....

I have spent hours and hours reading pages and reams about the people of the day, and not once anywhere did I find anyone else even remotely mentioning metaphysics ... just in respect of my own former self!

Catergorematic : A term or phrase capable of standing as the subject or (especially) the predicate of a proposition.

Syncatergorematic: A term which cannot stand as above, but must be used with other terms.

I include here a short letter, written by John Williams on March 12th 1619, to The Lord Treasurer Burleigh - The Earl of Salisbury, his son - The Earl of Somerset, and The Lord Marquess Robert Tounson - the then Dean of Westminster, putting himself forward for the position of Dean if and when the position became vacant.

I am an humble suitor, first, to be acknowledged your servant; and then that I may be nearer and better able to perform my Desires, to be by your happy Hand transplanted from Salisbury to Westminster, if that Deanery shall prove vacant. I trouble not your Honour for Profit, but only for conveniencey; for being Unmarried, and inclining for to continue, I do find that Westminster is fitter by much by that disposition. And mine own, nothing inferior in value, will be at His majesties Collation. If your Honour be not bent upon an ancienter servant, I beseech you think upon me. I am true, and so reputed by my former, and by the grace of God will prove no otherwise to my Second Master. God in Heaven bless you, as he hath begun.

I would like to visit such places as Lincoln Cathedral (again), York Minster, St. Tegai's Church in Llandegai, Conwy Castle, Wilton House and Walgrave Rectory in the hope that more definite recollections may be triggered, although the medium who said I'd been at Glastonbury also stated that I would experience feelings rather than specific memories. I do indeed have strong feelings about J.W. and the aspects of his (my) life in 17th century Britain, but I do not rule out the possibility of actual memories resurfacing. I am even considering an attempt at regression.

1582	March 25th: Born at Aberconwy, North Wales. The seventh child - youngest of 5 sons and 2 daughters of Edmund and Mary Williams ne Wynne. March 27th: Baptized at St. Mary's Church in Conwy.
1598	Left Ruthin Grammar School for St John's College, Cambridge, aged 16
1601	January 13th: Death of John's Father - Edmund Williams
1603	March 24th: Queen Elizabeth 1st died - on the day before John's 21st birthday. April: John acquired BA. May: Made Fellow of St. John's College
1605	Acquired MA -
1607	*Began to commit to more profound studies, including Metaphysicks* and Logick.**
1609	John, as a priest had his first calling at a small parish in Norfolk, possibly Fakenham. *Archbishop Bancroft appointed John Archdeacon of Cardigan (1609 to 1613)** *A clerical subordinate of a Bishop.
1610	Preached an impressive sermon at St. John's College, Cambridge, based upon Luke 16, 22 "And it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried by the Angels into Abraham's bosom .." As a result he was asked to deliver another sermon eight months later ... see below :-
1611	Preached a sermon at Royston, heard by King James 1st and Prince Henry. Both were greatly impressed.
1612	Became a Chaplain to Lord Chancellor Egerton. November 6th: Death of Prince Henry
1614	Became Rector of Walgrave Rectory, Northamptonshire (1614 to 1623)
1617	Became King's Chaplain - aged 35.
1619	October 15th to August 21st: Dean of Salisbury. Resigned after nine months to go to Westminster.
1620	August 21st: Dean of Westminster at age of 38. (1620 to 1644)
1621	June 18th: Became Privvy Counselor July 10th: Became 'Lord Keeper of The Great Seal' (and Chancellor in title only, due to church, and not state offices he held) after Sir Francis Bacon fell into disfavour. King James 1st appointed John Bishop of Lincoln (1621 to 1641). John Saintamand was his secretary.
1622	John purchased the Cochwillan Estate near Bangor
1623	*Left Walgrave - delivered The First Folio* to James in Westminster.**
1624	Paid for restoration of The Jerusalem Chamber at Westminster Abbey out of his own pocket, Held a banquet there for the marriage of Prince Charles & Henrietta Maria of France (15 years old).
1625	March 27th: When King James died John closed his eyes with his own hands. Later preached a Sermon at James' funeral. Charles officially became the King. October: John deprived of The Great Seal due to pressure on Charles from George Villiers - Duke of Buckingham.
1626	February 5th: Coronation of Charles I John was not allowed to attend and was sent to Bugden the day before, at Buckingham's request. Bugden was once the residence of Queen Catherine of Aragon, but became the palace of The Bishop of Lincoln. Within a year John made a mansion out of a ruinous building, planted woods and a beautiful garden. He beautified the Chapel, and in it glorified God with services at noon and in the evening. There was beautiful organ music, and a sweet choir, in which John occasionally took the tenor part.
1628	Murder of George Villiers - Duke of Buckingham.
1635	Falsely charged with revealing King James' secrets and subornation of perjury 10 years earlier.
1637	Imprisoned in The Tower of London for three and a half years and fined �10,000 (1637 to 1640)
1639	Charged with libeling Laud. Another heavy fine of �1000 was imposed for this.
1641,	Recovered his freedom and . . . December 4th: was appointed as 71st Archbishop of York by Charles I. December 30th: He was one of twelve bishops falsely impeached with treason. Imprisoned in The Tower of London again - for about 5 months.
1642	May: Released from The Tower at the request of members of The House of Lords, and followed king Charles to York. June: Enthroned at York Minster, at age of 60 October 23rd: The battle of Edgehill (lasted approx: 2pm to 4:30pm) marked the first (short) battle of The Civil War. December: Fled back to North Wales when Captain John Hotham (The Younger) and his parliamentary forces attacked the Bishop's Palace. John Acted as intermediary between English and Welsh Royalists, and James Butler - 12th Earl of Ormonde in Ireland. At own expense repaired and fortified Conwy Castle. The King assured him that he could stay there until the debt was repayed.
1643	Made Constable of Conwy Castle (1643 to 1645)
1645	May: Lost favour with The King, who was in Oxford, and John was turned out of Conwy castle.
1646	August 15th: Repeated appeals to The King failed, so John had no alternative but to join with his kinsman General Mytton, and other parlimentarian forces, and helped to recapture Conwy Castle. John was wounded in the neck. November 18th: The castle surrendered. For these services to parliament he was granted a general pardon for his sequestrations. Shortly afterwards retired to private life at his home at Conwy, called 'Y Parlwr Mawr', or sometimes 'Plas yr Archesgob'. In recent years the mantle-piece was removed to Birmingham. It contains the initials I.Y. and John's armorial bearings.
1649	30th January: At 2pm Charles was executed. John thereafter regularly got out of bed at night, at various times to pray for his dear departed friend Charles, whom he missed greatly. 6th February: Parliament abolished the monarchy. It would be ten years before the next king - Charles II came to the throne.
1650	25th March: Died of Quinsy on his 68th birthday.

As John approached his 68th birthday he was residing at Gloddaeth, while his host - Sir Roger Mostyn was a prisoner in Conwy Castle. His death was caused by a catarrh, or quinsy [in the throat] which dissolved him in twelve hours, during which the virtuous Lady Mostyn spoke to him of preparing for another world. "Cousin", he said "I am prepared, and will be better prepared."

He sent for a minister, had the Visitations of the Sick read to him twice, the greater part of which he repeated himself, and he received Absolution. He then closed his eyes with one hand, and lifting up the other, his lips moved, and recommending his Spirit to The Redeemer, he expired.

"Were I only assured that by my preaching I had converted but one soul unto God, I should take therein more spiritual joy and comfort than in all the honours and offices that have been conferred on me".

I was proof reading the time-line above when I noticed an interesting numeric similarity when reducing the respective years to a single digit ....

The oil painting on the left is in the Westminster Abbey Deanery, and the one on the right hangs in The Abbey Library. The two possible painters are Cornelius Janssen or maybe Gilbert Jackson. I have now seen the library painting which hangs high on the wall at the opposite end to the entry stairs, and is in reality quite dark (See the photos of The Library below). John has his left hand resting on the box wherein is kept The Great Seal. I bought the photos of these paintings from Christine - the assistant keeper of the muniments, from which these and the bust below are derived. While they are both painted quite well, I think the Library painting bears the closest resemblance.

I had my first 'flashback' on the morning of Sunday 16th September 2007 when for a mere two seconds in my mind I saw myself stood in what seemed like a dark cathedral, apparently on my own. It was brief, but I remember seeing the vaulted ceiling and the intricately carved wall diagonally to my right.

On Friday 5th October 2007 I went, along with my good friend Stan Baldwin to Westminster Abbey, followed by the Abbey Library - by appointment of course. When I initially stood near Big Ben, and looked across the road to The Abbey I felt quite light-headed. I sensed a vibration which had long since been forgotten. With my sense of humour I commented to Stan that I thought it unfair that I had been The Dean of Westminster for twenty-four years, and now I have to pay my �10 just to get in. In The Abbey I was extremely aware of my previous presence and ministry. I felt so much at home there, despite the many tourists. I stood just inside the entrance, near the information desk, and believed that I was looking at what I had visualised during the flashback mentioned above, I also commented on this to Stan at the time. It could not have been a premonition of this visit as my 'flashback' had been of a darkened, empty hall, possibly in the late evening. In February 2008 it suddenly dawned on me that I had been looking in the direction of King James' tomb, in Henry VII's Lady Chapel, towards the right hand wall in the photo below.

Two beautiful tombs in this chapel, either side of the large stained glass window are of King James' mother - Queen Mary of Scots, and her cousin Queen Elizabeth I. As Williams, Dean of Westminster I had spoken at James' funeral, expressing both personal and national loss, and I am fairly sure that I had given his monument my blessing after his passing. Realising something of the important historical role that I had played in 17th century Britain, I now wonder what roles my friends and acquaintances of this life once acted out, to be forgotten by them until such times as they reactivate their misty memories.

In the passageway leading from The Cloisters to The Chapter House, where there is 'the oldest door in Britain' I felt as though I could almost remember myself walking over the uneven stone floor centuries earlier, again - I commented to Stan that in the past I possibly knew every flagstone in that small passage, due to my repeatedly treading it. As we waited for admission to The Library a tall clergyman wearing his long black cassock and 'dog collar' walked past with his head held high, and I had to fight back the tears. I remembered, even though vaguely, my large black hat, ornate ruffe and long black gown, also my short goatie beard. I then smiled to myself and thought "Yes, I've done that too, but a long, long time ago."

When I stood in The Library in front of the painting of The Lord Keeper I KNEW it was of myself, and again - I felt so at home there. I walked around the room on my own, while Stan chatted to Christine the keeper of the muniments and I touched the old wooden book cases which I had long since paid for out of my own pocket, and vaguely remembered them. I have never before in this life been so acutely aware of such subtle, yet immensely strong vibrations like those which surrounded and permeated me at these locations. For an hour or two - I had come home. Of course, if I stated this to Abbey staff I would undoubtedly have been thrown out on my ear ... Well, that's the so-called 'Christian Church' for you!

I have been in touch with Her Majesty's College of Arms, and The Somerset Herald has offered to get J.W.s coat of arms painted up for me. I will reproduce it on this page when it is done, along with my newly constructed Latin motto 'nilum sed Deus' (Nought but God).

Today (Monday 21/01/08) I had what seemed like another flashback. I was at work during a quiet moment and was recapping my death as John Williams in 1650. I remembered that John Hacket had said that Williams had died within twelve hours of quinsy. Immediately I saw in my mind's eye a view of a darkened bedroom, viewed from the bed. The far wall, beyond the foot of the bed was in darkness except for one window slightly right of centre. It had a curtain drawn from the left leaving about a foot for the light to stream in and enabling me to see the sheen on the bedclothes. I could feel the soft pillow and bed beneath me. At the bottom of my field of vision was white material, possible part of a lacy collar on my night-shirt. There was no one else there, and all was quiet. This lasted only half a second or so, but was very clear during that time. I realised afterwards that I'd had my mouth wide open as I saw it, and of course John would have had his mouth open due to the constricted throat and the difficulty in breathing. I thought to myself after the image had gone 'It must have been on the 24th or 25th of March as I died within twelve hours', and immediately a crystal clear voice in my head said "25th, 25th!". . . Maybe my clairaudience is developing too?

In March 2008 I held another of the regular Twelve Blessings Services at home, before my altar. This time though I dedicated it to my former self, and re-invoked the Apostolic Succession which I had previously been granted. Such succession being an initiation which providing that it is not misused is for all time, not just for one life. I went cold as I verbally accepted the responsibility of this power and authority. Now when I pray I almost always feel my palms go cooler, as if I am in a breeze. I also feel cold movements within my aura as the energies are stimulated into activity. Though I am generally not consciously aware of any clairvoyant perception I nevertheless, now more than before, often feel presences near me when I engage in spiritual practices.

On Friday 28th November 2008 I was chatting by telephone to a professional psychic medium about various aspects of my life and I mentioned John Williams, he immediately stated that his guides told him that "Yes - it is all quite true", and that I was indeed he!".

That is two quite separate mediums, and unrelated guides many months apart who have confirmed this . . .

In the protraits of J.W. many people have said that they can see my eyes, as can I!

This of course is largely intuitive as we both were born into this world through quite different genetic family lines.

J.W. was well known to have no more than three hours sleep in any night, throughout his entire life.

It has been very rare for me, especially in later years to have much more than three or four hours sleep in any one night.

J.W. showed a continual and deep-rooted interest in all aspects of the Christian [Anglican] church.

I, while not having been a priest in this life, have non-the-less a deep-rooted interest in religion, particularly the Anglican Church. I was even born in Church Street ...

J.W. studied metaphysics between 1607 and 1609 - exactly 400 years ago, not just orthodox Christianity. He believed that everyone was entitled to their interpretation of 'sacred texts', and they should not be pressured into accepting a particular point of view.

I have studied aspects of metaphysics for over 45 years, and I am exactly the same in my attitudes to other people's beliefs and religious freedom.

Not on the same scale, or to the same quality maybe, but I write a little poetry too, and my first book of 100 original poems is currently with a publisher. Some of those peoms are quite mystical, and I even wrote a soliloquy back in the 1990s.

When I visited Lincoln in the 1970s I instantly felt at home at the cathedral and the castle (then without knowing why).

J.W. while Bishop of Lincoln was friend and patron to the puritan minister Rev. John Cotton, of St. Botolph's Church, Boston, Lincolnshire (in the diocese of Lincoln), who went to Boston Massachusetts, to preach to the new American settlers (1633).

Before I knew my connection with J.W. and while I was engaged in 'Western Reenactment' I invented a fictitious English priest - William Dean, who I decided was born in Lincoln, and went to Boston, Massachusetts to preach to the new American settlers. I also intuitively discovered that I had a connection with St. Botolph's Church, in the diocese of Lincoln.

J.W. was a very good speaker, and delivered sermons, sometimes in Latin in various churches and cathedrals, as Rector, Archdeacon, Chaplain, Dean, Bishop and Archbishop in The Church of England. As such he had the Apostolic Succession from his ordination in 1605.

I have given over 45 talks on metaphysics to the general public in the last ten or so years. I also regularly hold my own services at home, and have an altar with the necessary accoutrements, pictures, candles and incense. I love using prayer and ritual. I am a good contact spiritual healer. In a Twelve Blessings Service which I performed at home in January 2008 I re-invoked the use of The Apostolic Succession, and it has made my prayers and healing ability far more powerful. I am trying to relearn some Latin.

J.W. particularly in early life spent much time studying, rather than socialising, intent on learning all he could. He was at St. John's College, Cambridge for about eleven years (1598 to 1609).

I have been somewhat similar. My schooldays (1958 to 1965) were not over fruitful as modern schooling does not in any way compare with what John had access to, but since leaving school I went on to study metaphysics and Theosophy, not to mention a little literary appreciation. I have had little opportunity to socialise in recent years. Maybe I can catch up a bit on that now?

J.W. created the Westminster Abbey Library, arranged acquisition of the books and paid for new book cases. His 0portrait, as Dean of Westminster and Lord Keeper has hung at the far end of the room for 300 years or so (See pics higher up the page).

I have always loved libraries, and really feel saddened by the partial demise of books due to the over dependence on computers and the internet, robbing people of a great experience through reading, and actually handling books, some of which can have great antiquity, such as my copy of J.W.'s biography - printed in 1693.

I started writing poetry, and loved the dramatic arts long before I consciously knew anything about J.W. From the above texts you will note that he was also interested in such literary things, and was even presented with awards for his literary works by King James in 1623.

J.W. received a wound to the neck during the siege of Conwy Castle, and also died of Quinsy - an abscess between the tonsils and the wall of the throat, causing excessive catarrh.

I believe that in the previous life I may have drowned, and J.W. had throat problems. My lungs and throat are my weakest organs. I have mild asthma, and I sometimes have difficulty swallowing, and very often have catarrh.

J.W. as a young boy was once playing at Conwy Castle, and while wearing a large coat stood on a high ledge thinking that he could glide somewhat like a flying squirrel. He jumped, but landed flatly on his belly causing an injury which stayed with him for the rest of his life.

In 2002 I got an inguinal hernia in my left groin (which has since been remedied). This is where part of the lower intestine protrudes, under the skin between the abdomen and thigh muscles. I obviously have a weakness there ... could it have carried through from John's accident ?

"He began to commit to the policy and gravity of a statesman before he had a hair on his chin!"

"His wit was sharp, and drew success after it, as a needle doth the thread!"

"With John being a Chaplain, Dean and Bishop at the same time, he could be a diesis all on his own!"

Yes, actually in the period 1621 to 1623 he (I) held five notable positions concurrently ...

Lord Keeper of The Great Seal of England / Lord Chancellor. (For 4 years, 1621 to 1625).