Edward Foxe facts for kids

Edward Foxe was an important English church leader who lived from about 1496 to 1538. He became the Bishop of Hereford, a high-ranking position in the church. Edward Foxe helped King Henry VIII with his famous divorce from Catherine of Aragon. He also helped write an important set of rules for the church called the Ten Articles in 1536.

Early Life and Education

Edward Foxe was born in a place called Dursley in Gloucestershire, England. He went to two famous schools: Eton College and King's College, Cambridge University. After finishing his studies in 1520, he started working for a very powerful church leader named Cardinal Wolsey in 1527.

In 1528, Edward Foxe was sent to Rome with another bishop, Stephen Gardiner. Their mission was to ask Pope Clement VII for permission to decide the case of King Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. This was about the King's desire to end his marriage.

Working at Cambridge University

Edward Foxe was the Provost (which is like the head) of King's College from 1528 until his death in 1538. In 1529, he shared an important idea with King Henry VIII from Thomas Cranmer. The idea was that the King should ask universities across Europe for their opinions on his marriage, instead of just the Pope.

Foxe also traveled to Paris in 1529 for a short trip. In 1530, he became friends with Hugh Latimer at Cambridge. He worked hard to convince English universities to agree with the King's side in the divorce case. He also went to French universities in 1530 and 1531 to try and persuade them. During this time, he also helped negotiate a closer friendship between England and France.

Church Career and Royal Service

Edward Foxe served as the King's almoner (someone who gives money to the poor) from about 1532 to 1537. In 1533, he was the speaker for a church meeting called convocation. At this meeting, they decided that King Henry's marriage to Catherine was not valid.

In 1534, he wrote a book called De vera differentia regiae potestatis et ecclesiae. This book supported the King's power over the church, known as the Royal Supremacy. Because of his work, he received several important church jobs. These included being the Archdeacon of Leicester (1531–1535) and the Archdeacon of Dorset (1533–1535). He also became the Dean of Salisbury in 1533.

Becoming Bishop of Hereford

In 1535, Edward Foxe was chosen to be the Bishop of Hereford. He was officially confirmed as bishop on September 15, and then ordained (made a bishop) on September 26, 1535.

Discussions in Germany

From 1535 to 1536, Foxe was sent to Germany. His job was to talk with Lutheran leaders and thinkers. They wanted to find common ground for political and religious understanding. He met with Martin Luther several times, but Luther did not agree with King Henry VIII's divorce.

King Henry did not want to fully support the Augsburg Confession, a key Lutheran statement. So, in 1536, Foxe and Lutheran churchmen wrote the Wittenberg articles as a compromise. These articles faced strong disagreement in England's church meeting (convocation). King Henry himself had to step in to help them reach an agreement. This led to the writing and passing of the Ten Articles by the convocation. In 1536, another important religious leader, Martin Bucer, dedicated his book Commentaries on the Gospels to Foxe.

Death and Sayings

Edward Foxe died on May 8, 1538. He was buried in the church of St Mary Mounthaw in London.

Some famous sayings are sometimes linked to Edward Foxe. One is "the surest way to peace is a constant preparedness for war." This is a similar idea to an old Latin saying. Another saying is "time and I will challenge any two in the world," though this is more often said to have come from Philip II of Spain.