Bartholomew Traheron facts for kids

Bartholomew Traheron (born around 1510, died around 1558) was an English Protestant writer. He was one of many people who left England during the rule of Queen Mary because of their religious beliefs.

Who Was Bartholomew Traheron?

Bartholomew Traheron was born around 1510, possibly in Cornwall, England. He became an orphan early in life and was raised by Richard Tracy, a kind guardian from Toddington, Gloucestershire.

Early Life and Education

Before 1527, Bartholomew became a Minorite friar, which is a type of monk. While studying at Oxford, he faced some difficulties because of his religious views. Later, he moved to Cambridge and earned his B.A. degree in 1533, still as a friar.

Soon after, he left his religious order and traveled across Europe. He visited countries like Italy and Germany. In 1537, he joined Heinrich Bullinger, an important religious leader, in Zurich, Switzerland. By 1538, he was living in Strasbourg, a city known for its religious reforms. During this time, he wrote a letter encouraging his brother Thomas to adopt the new Protestant beliefs.

Back in England: Government and Church Work

In 1539, Bartholomew started working for Thomas Cromwell, a powerful advisor to King Henry VIII. He was also supported by Lord Chancellor Audley. After Cromwell lost his power, Traheron left the royal court. He moved to the countryside and planned to get married and open a grammar school.

Before King Henry VIII died, Bartholomew decided it was safer to leave England again. In 1546, he was with John Calvin, another key Protestant leader, in Geneva. Over time, Traheron's religious ideas changed. He started to follow Calvin's teachings more closely, especially about predestination (the idea that God has already decided who will be saved).

In 1547, he returned to England. He became a Member of Parliament for Barnstaple. At this time, there was a big discussion about what religious ideas should be included in the Book of Common Prayer. Traheron wanted clearer Protestant reforms, but his ideas were not always chosen.

In 1549, he became the keeper of the king's library, looking after all the royal books. He also became a tutor to the young Henry Brandon, 2nd Duke of Suffolk at Cambridge.

Leaving England Again

After the Duke of Suffolk passed away in 1551, Traheron went back to the countryside. He spent his time studying Greek. William Cecil, another important figure, suggested that Traheron could help the church. He was offered the position of Dean of Chichester, a leader in the Chichester church. Even though he wasn't a priest, he was elected Dean in 1552. He also helped a group that was working to update church rules.

However, his time at Chichester was difficult, and he soon resigned. He then became a canon (another church role) at Windsor.

When Queen Mary came to the throne, she was a Catholic and began to reverse the Protestant reforms. Traheron resigned his position at the royal library and left England again. In 1555, he was in Frankfurt, Germany. Here, he was part of some disagreements among English exiles about how their church services should be run. He wanted to keep the English service book, unlike John Knox's group. After these "troubles," Traheron became a teacher of religious studies.

He later moved to Wesel, another city in Germany, where he gave lectures on the New Testament. Bartholomew Traheron likely died in Wesel in 1558. His daughter, Magdalen, later married Thomas Bowyer.

His Writings and Ideas

Bartholomew Traheron was a busy writer and translator. Here are some of his works:

• In 1543, he translated a medical book called 'The moste Excellent Workes of Chirurgerye' by John of Vigo.
• He contributed to a collection of poems published in 1551 after the death of Martin Bucer, another important religious reformer.
• In 1557, he published 'An Exposition of a parte of S. Iohannes Gospel,' which were his lectures given at Wesel. He wrote this to challenge new religious ideas that he disagreed with.
• He also published 'An expositiõ of the 4 chap. of S. Joans Reuelation' in 1557, based on his lectures in Germany.
• In 1558, he wrote 'An Answere made by Bar. Traheron to a privie papiste,' which was a response to a Catholic who had joined the English exile community.
• Another work from 1558 was 'A Warning to England,' which encouraged England to turn away from what he saw as idolatry and Catholicism, using the example of the loss of Calais.

He also wrote letters to Bullinger, which were later published, and some poems.