George Constantine (priest) facts for kids

George Constantine (born around 1500 – died 1560) was a British priest. He was an early Protestant and a reformer who wanted to change the church.

George Constantine: A Church Reformer

George Constantine was an important figure during a time when many people wanted to change the way the church worked. He helped translate the Bible into English and secretly brought books into England that shared new ideas about religion.

Early Life and New Ideas

George Constantine was born around the year 1500. In 1523, he went to Cambridge University to study church law. While there, he started to believe in the new ideas of the Protestant movement. These ideas were different from the traditional Catholic Church.

Because of his new beliefs, he left England and went to Antwerp. In Antwerp, he met and worked with other important reformers like William Tyndale and George Joye. He helped them translate the New Testament part of the Bible into English. He also wrote books that disagreed with the Catholic Church.

Spreading Banned Books

Later, Constantine moved to Paris. There, he studied the ideas of Martin Luther, another key Protestant leader. He then began to secretly bring books into England that were not allowed by the authorities. These books contained the new Protestant ideas.

Facing Challenges and Returning Home

In 1531, George Constantine was arrested by a powerful official named Sir Thomas More. After being questioned, he managed to escape in December of the same year. He then returned to Antwerp.

Constantine came back to England in 1536, after Sir Thomas More had died. He started working for Sir Henry Norris.

Important Roles in the Church

After Norris died, Constantine became the vicar of Llawhaden in Pembrokeshire, Wales. However, some things he said in 1539 led to him being put in the Tower of London by Thomas Cromwell, another powerful figure.

By 1546, Constantine was released from prison. He was back in good standing with the church. He became a registrar for St David's in Wales. In 1547, he became a royal visitor for the church area. He then became an Archdeacon of Carmarthen and a Prebendary of Llangammarch in 1549.

During the time of Queen Mary I, who was Catholic, Constantine lost his church jobs. But by 1559, when Queen Elizabeth I became ruler, he was back in favour. He was chosen to visit churches in the western part of England. Finally, in November 1559, Queen Elizabeth I made him the archdeacon of Brecon.

Family Life

George Constantine was married. His only child who lived to adulthood became the first wife of Thomas Younge, who later became an Archbishop of York.