BEDELL, WILLIAM (1571-1642), Anglican divine, was a fellow of Emmanuel college, Cambridge, and spent four years at Venice as chaplain to Sir H. Wotton, the English ambassador. After holding various preferments he became in 1629 bishop of Kilmore and Ardagh, where he encouraged the use of the Irish language and won the respect of the people. He resigned in 1633. But in 1641 when Protestants were being massacred Bedell's house was respected, and many Protestants found refuge there. At last the surrender of the fugitives was demanded—and refused. Bedell was imprisoned, and died from the effects of exposure on Feb. 7, 1642.
His Life was written by Bishop Burnet (1685) , and by his son (ed. T. W. Jones, Camden Soc. 1872).