He was born in
Clerkenwell,
Middlesex, England. He became a Fellow of
Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1551, and rector of
Balcombe (
Sussex) and vicar of
Eccleshall (
Staffordshire) in 1553. He was also made a
prebendary at
Chichester, Winchester, and Salisbury. He became
Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry in 1580, and remained in post until his death in 1609.
Glassmaking He was responsible for developing glassmaking in Staffordshire, importing artisans of French origin and supplying firewood from the episcopal estates. The glassworks he established near Eccleshall continued in production after his death, but were affected by legislation which forbade the use of wood for the furnace.
Personal life His first wife was Margaret Barlow (1533 - 1601), daughter of Bishop
William Barlow and Agatha (Wellesbourne) Barlow, and they had Susan (Overton) Playsted and Valentine Overton (1565 - 1646). ==Legacy==