Francis Kett facts for kids

Francis Kett (born around 1547, died 1589) was an English church leader. He was put to death because his religious beliefs were different from what the main church taught at the time.

Early Life and Education

Francis Kett was born around 1547 in Wymondham, a town in England. His parents were Thomas and Agnes Kett. His uncle, Robert Kett, was well-known for leading a large uprising called Kett's Rebellion.

Even though Francis's father died when he was young, he was able to go to university. He got help from his mother's second husband. In 1566, Francis started studying at Clare College, Cambridge.

He later moved to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. He earned his first degree there in 1570. By 1573, he earned another degree and became a "fellow" of the college. This meant he was a senior member and teacher. During this time, he also became a minister in the church.

Changing Beliefs and Writings

In 1580, Francis Kett left his position at the college. He decided to study medicine instead. He earned a medical degree in 1581.

In 1585, Francis Kett, now a doctor, published a book. It was called 'The Glorious and Beautiful Garland of Man's Glorification'. This book was dedicated to Queen Elizabeth I. He also wrote another paper that year. It discussed his views on the Pope.

Facing Charges of Heresy

By 1588, Francis Kett's religious ideas caused problems. Edmund Scambler, who was the Bishop of Norwich, accused him of heresy. Heresy means having beliefs that go against the official teachings of the church.

Kett's beliefs were quite unusual for his time.

• He believed that Jesus was not God. Instead, he thought Jesus was a very good man. Kett also believed Jesus would return to Earth to suffer again for people's sins. He thought Jesus would eventually become divine.
• He also had millenarian beliefs. This meant he thought Jesus was gathering a church in Judea (a region in the Middle East) right then. He also believed that in 1588, Jewish people would be sent to different countries to share a "new covenant."
• Another idea he held was called soul sleep (psychopannychism). This belief suggests that a person's soul is unaware or "asleep" between death and the Day of Judgment.

A minister named William Burton was shocked by Kett's ideas. However, Burton also noted that Kett seemed like a good person. He often praised God, prayed, and read the Bible.

Execution and Legacy

In late 1588, Bishop Scambler wrote to Lord Burghley, an important government official. He urged that Kett be executed quickly.

So, on January 14, 1589, Francis Kett was burned to death. This happened in the ditch of Norwich Castle. William Burton, the minister, saw Kett's final moments. He wrote that Kett went to the fire "leaping and dauncing." He kept clapping his hands and crying "blessed be God" until he died.

Some people have suggested that Kett's unusual ideas might have influenced the writer Christopher Marlowe. Marlowe was also a student at Corpus Christi College. However, Kett was only a fellow at the college for a few months when Marlowe arrived.