Edmund Hall (priest) facts for kids

Edmund Hall was an English priest who lived a long time ago, from about 1620 to 1687. He had strong beliefs as a Presbyterian and supported the King (a Royalist). He was known for speaking out against Oliver Cromwell, who was a powerful leader at the time. Because of his strong opinions, Edmund Hall was even put in prison!

A Young Life and Early Beliefs

Edmund Hall was born in Worcester around 1620. His father, Richard Hall, was a clothier, which means he made or sold cloth. Edmund likely went to the King's School, Worcester. His older brother was Thomas Hall.

In 1636, Edmund started studying at Pembroke College, Oxford. However, he left university early without finishing his degree. This was because he chose to join the army and fight for the Parliament against King Charles I. He took a special promise called the Solemn League and Covenant, which was an agreement to support the Parliament and the Presbyterian church. He even became a captain in the Parliament's army.

Standing Up to Power

Around 1647, Edmund Hall returned to Oxford. He became a fellow at Pembroke College and earned his Master of Arts degree in 1650. Even though he had fought for Parliament, he strongly believed that England should have a king. He wrote many strong criticisms against Oliver Cromwell, who was then leading the country.

Around 1651, the Council of State (the government at the time) put him in prison. He stayed there for about a year. Even from prison, he continued to write pamphlets (small booklets) attacking the government.

After his release, he preached in Oxford and nearby areas. Around 1657, he became a chaplain (a religious minister) for Edmund Bray in Great Risington, Gloucestershire. Mr. Bray was a Royalist, meaning he supported the King. He tried to make Hall the rector (head priest) of Great Risington, but it didn't work out at first.

Later Life and Ministry

Over time, Edmund Hall's religious views, which were Calvinistic, started to become more in line with the Church of England. When the King was brought back to power in England (this event is called the Restoration), Hall showed his loyalty.

In 1661, he asked the government to remove another priest, Lewis Atterbury, from the rectory of Great Risington. This was the position Mr. Bray had wanted him to have. This didn't happen right away. However, Hall did get a good position in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire. He was quite popular there. Finally, in 1680, he became the rector of Great Risington, thanks to Mr. Bray.

Edmund Hall died in August 1687 and was buried in his church's chancel (the area around the altar). He had married after moving to Great Risington.

Writings and Beliefs

Edmund Hall wrote several important works. One of his books was called 'Ἡ αποστασία ὁ αντίχριστος, ... A scriptural Discourse of the Apostacy and the Antichrist.' It was published in London in 1653. In this book, he wrote about religious ideas and dedicated it to 'the Right Reverend and Profound Prophetick Textmen of England.' He signed it as 'An obedient Son and Servant of the Church and State of England.'

He also wrote 'A Funeral Sermon on Lady Anne Harcourt' in Oxford in 1664.

According to a historian named Anthony Wood, Edmund Hall was also the secret author of 'Lazarus's Sores lick'd' (published in London in 1650). This pamphlet criticized Lazarus Seaman, who had suggested people should obey Cromwell and his army.

Wood also believed Hall wrote two other anonymous pamphlets published in July 1651:

• 'Lingua Testium, wherein Monarchy is proved to be Jure Divino,' which argued that monarchy (rule by a king) was given by God.
• 'Manus Testium Movens, or a presbyteriall glosse upon . . . prophetick Texts . . . which point at the great day of the Witnesses rising.'

Both of these pamphlets strongly criticized the "present usurpers in England" (meaning Cromwell's government), calling them "anti-Christian." The author of these pamphlets used the name 'Testis-Mundus Catholicus Scotanglo-Britanicus.'