Background
Heywood was born into a distinguished ecclesiastical family, the sixth son of the Reverend Henry Robinson Heywood, an honorary canon of Manchester Cathedral.
Heywood was born into a distinguished ecclesiastical family, the sixth son of the Reverend Henry Robinson Heywood, an honorary canon of Manchester Cathedral.
He was educated at Sunningdale School, then Harrow School and Welldon. He went to Trinity College, Cambridge and graduated in 1892.
He was Vicar of Street Paul"s Church, Bury from 1897 to 1906. Vicar of Street Peter"s Church, Swinton from 1906 to 1916. And Vicar of Leeds Parish Church from 1916 to 1926.
Bishop of Southwell from 1926 to 1928 (before resigning owing to a period of ill health), he was subsequently assistant Bishop to the Archbishop of York from 1929 to 1931 and then suffragan Bishop of Hull and Archdeacon of the East Riding from 1931 to 1934.
From 1934 to 1940 he was Bishop of Ely. From 1942 to 1951 he was Assistant Bishop to the Bishop of Saint Albans.