John Ashwell facts for kids

John Ashwell (died 1541) was an important religious leader in England. He was the prior, or head, of Newnham Abbey in Bedfordshire. He lived during a time of big changes in the church, known as the Reformation.

Ashwell was known for not agreeing with the new ideas of the Reformation. He studied at Cambridge University. Around 1504, he likely became a rector (a type of priest) in Essex. He held other church jobs there too. In 1515, he worked as a chaplain for Lord Abergavenny's soldiers in France. Later, he gained a special position at St. Paul's Cathedral.

He became the prior of Newnham Abbey around 1527. In the same year, he wrote a secret letter. This letter was sent to John Longland, the Bishop of Lincoln. In it, Ashwell complained about George Joye. Joye was a strong supporter of new ideas, like those of Martin Luther. Ashwell and Joye had been close friends.

A Big Argument About Beliefs

Sadly, Ashwell's secret letter fell into Joye's hands. To avoid trouble from the bishop, Joye moved to Strasburg. There, he published Ashwell's letter. He also wrote a long reply to all the things Ashwell had said about him.

This published pamphlet had a very long title. It was called The Letter whyche Johan Ashwell, Priour of Newnham Abbey besydes Bedforde, sente secretly to the Byshope of Lyncolne in the yeare of our Lord MDXXVII. Where in the sayde Priour accuseth George Joye, that tyme beyng fellow of Peter College in Cambridge of fower opinions; with the Answere of the sayde George unto the same opinions. It ended with a note saying it should be delivered to Ashwell at Newnham Abbey.

One interesting part of the book is Ashwell's strong request to the bishop. He asked that "no creature maye know that I or any of mine do shew you of these thinges." This shows he was worried about what people in his area would think. It also suggests that many people in England were hoping for the changes of the Reformation. Joye published a second version of the pamphlet in 1531.

Ashwell seemed to change his mind a bit as times changed. In 1534, he was one of the first to take the "oath of supremacy." This meant he accepted King Henry VIII as the head of the church, not the Pope. However, he likely left his job as prior of Newnham before 1539. That was when many monasteries were closed down by the king.

His Final Years

John Ashwell died shortly before August 23, 1541. At that time, his special position at St. Paul's Cathedral, which he had held for twenty years, was given to someone else.