Joan Waste facts for kids

Joan Waste (born in 1534 – died August 1, 1556) was a young woman from Derby, England. She was blind from birth. Joan was executed because she held strong Protestant beliefs. During her time, it was dangerous to have different religious views than the ruling queen. Joan had even bought a Bible in English so her friends could read it to her.

Who Was Joan Waste?

Joan Waste was born in 1534. Her parents were William and Joan Waste. Her father, William, worked as a barber and also made ropes. Even though Joan was blind, she learned to make ropes and clothes by the age of twelve. This helped her family.

Religious Changes in England

In 1553, Queen Mary I became the ruler of England. She was a strong Catholic. Queen Mary made it against the law to be a Protestant. People who did not follow the Catholic faith were accused of a crime called heresy. This meant having beliefs that were different from the official church. Queen Mary ordered the punishment of many people for their religious views.

Joan and her family attended services at St Peter's church where they heard the services in English until Mary became Queen.

Joan and her family used to go to St Peter's Church in Derby. There, they heard church services in English. But when Queen Mary became queen, services had to be in Latin again.

Joan's Trial and Beliefs

Joan Waste was brought to court for her Protestant beliefs. The judge was a man who worked for the bishop. Joan had to explain why she believed what she did. She was told that she would die for her faith.

Joan did not like that church services were read only in Latin. She believed people should understand what was being said. She bought a Bible written in English. The Catholic Church, however, wanted Bibles to be only in Latin. Joan paid friends a penny to read the English Bible to her. She refused to change her mind and agree with the Catholic Church.

Her trial happened at All Saints Church in Derby. The main part of this church has been rebuilt. However, its tall tower, built in 1530, is still standing. Today, this tower is part of Derby's cathedral.

Her Final Day

On the day she died, Joan walked with her twin brother. They walked arm-in-arm to the place where she would be executed.

Windmill Hill Pit in the nineteenth century. This was the place where Joan Waste died for her beliefs.

Joan Waste was executed at a place called Windmill Pit. This spot was on Burton Road in Derby. She was hanged over a fire with a rope. When the rope burned through, she fell into the flames. The judge, Antony Draycot, then went home for his meal.

Today, a church stands where Joan Waste was killed. Later, when Elizabeth I became queen in 1559, she changed many things. She removed some officials who had been involved in punishing Protestants.

See also

In Spanish: Joan Waste para niños