Edmund Grindal, an English prelate, born at Kensingham, Cumberland, in 1519, died at Croydon, July 6, 1583. In 1459 he became president of Pembroke hall, Cambridge, and. having greatly distinguished himself as a preacher, became Bishop Ridley's private chaplain in 1550. The next year he was appointed chaplain to the king; but on the accession of Mary he fled to Strasburg, where he remained till her death, when returning, he was employed to draw up the new liturgy, and, with seven other Protestants, to oppose the Roman Catholic prelates in public debate. In 1559 he was made master of Pembroke hall, and the same year was nominated to succeed Bonner as bishop of London. In 1570 he was translated to the see of York, and five years after succeeded Parker as archbishop of Canterbury. Elizabeth, disliking the frequent meetings of the clergy for mutual improvement, directed Grin-dal to break up these "prophesyings." Venturing decidedly to question the propriety of doing this, he was confined to his house by order of the star chamber, and his see was sequestered from him. He was afterward partially restored to his power and place, but in 1582 he became blind, and resigned his see, receiving a pension from the queen.

He wrote little, but a tract of his on the real presence is printed in Fox's "Acts and Monuments."