Joan Bocher facts for kids
Joan Bocher (died 2 May 1550 in Smithfield, London) was an English woman who lived during a time of big religious changes in England. She was known for her strong beliefs as an Anabaptist, a group of Christians who had different ideas from the main church. Because of these different beliefs, she was put to death during the reign of Edward VI. People also knew her as Joan Boucher, Butcher, Joan Knell, or Joan of Kent.
Who Was Joan Bocher?
Joan Bocher's early life is not very clear. We know that families named Bocher and Knell lived near Romney Marsh in England. She was connected with Anabaptists in Kent. Some of these Anabaptists were immigrants who had come from countries like Belgium and the Netherlands to escape being treated badly for their beliefs.
In the 1530s and 1540s, Joan was quite popular among people who wanted to change the church in Canterbury.
Her Religious Beliefs
Joan first got into trouble when she spoke against the Eucharist, which is a very important religious ceremony. Even though she was arrested, she was later set free by people working for Thomas Cranmer, a powerful church leader. This showed some kindness towards her at the time.
Later, Joan became very interested in Anabaptist ideas. One of her beliefs was about Jesus Christ's "celestial flesh." This meant she believed Jesus's body was not made in the usual human way from the Virgin Mary. This idea was very different from what the main church taught.
Facing Challenges
Because of her strong and different religious views, Joan was arrested again in 1548. She was found guilty in April 1549. She spent about a year in prison. During this time, many important religious figures tried to convince her to change her mind and give up her beliefs. However, Joan stayed firm and did not change her views.
Thomas Cranmer was involved in the decision for her to be put to death on 2 May 1550. Some stories say that young Edward VI, the king, was forced to agree to this. However, these stories might not be fully accurate.
A man named John Foxe asked John Rogers, who was a royal chaplain, to help save Joan. But Rogers refused. He said that being burned was "mild enough" for someone with such different religious ideas. Interestingly, John Rogers himself was later put to death for his own beliefs during the time of Queen Mary I.
See also
- List of people burned as heretics
